Wooster BOE approves redistricting plan, bond issue
The Board of Education for Wooster City Schools voted Nov. 19 to approve a district-wide redistricting plan, as well as the initial Resolution of Necessity to place a bond issue on the May 2025 ballot.
In a pivotal step for the future of Wooster City Schools, the Board of Education voted Nov. 19 to approve a district-wide redistricting plan and the initial Resolution of Necessity to place a bond issue on the May 2025 ballot.
Superintendent Gabe Tudor presented these items, which were shaped based on extensive community feedback following the defeat of the district’s original bond proposal in May of 2023, at the board meeting
The bond issue will fund the construction of a new middle school for grades 6-8 on the Wooster High School campus. The revised bond request reflects the community’s call for a reduced financial commitment while maintaining the district’s commitment to providing safe, efficient, and flexible learning environments. The new middle school, with a projected cost of $67,000,000, would require a 3.43 mil bond issue, amounting to an estimated $120 per $100,000 of property valuation annually.
“After the May 2023 bond issue, we knew it was essential to re-engage with the community and listen carefully to their priorities,” said Tudor. “Through conversations, surveys, and meetings, our families, staff and community members voiced their support for neighborhood schools, grade-level banding and eighth grade at the middle school.
“Now, we’re moving forward with a plan that balances financial considerations with the need for modern, high-quality learning environments for our students and staff.”
Key components of the facilities master plan include:
—New 6-8 Middle School: Located north of Follis Field, the facility will include an athletic field and modernized learning spaces for students.
—Cornerstone Building: The district will approach Wooster Growth about acquiring the historic building and property to create a Request for Proposal (RFP) detailing project requirements and inviting bids from potential vendors. The focus will be on creating housing, a community-use facility and green space with building preservation encouraged. Littlest Generals Preschool will be relocated to Parkview or Kean.
—Updated grade configurations: Following the construction of the new middle school, the district’s grade configurations will be as follows:
Grades 9-12 at Wooster High School
Grades 6-8 at the new middle school
Grades 3-5 at Edgewood Intermediate School
Grades K-2 distributed evenly among Kean, Parkview and Melrose elementary schools
“With Wooster’s continued growth, especially on the north side, it’s essential that we align our schools to meet the needs of our expanding community,” said Tudor. “Our redistricting plan will evenly distribute grades K-2 at Kean, Melrose, and Parkview by revising geographic boundaries, regardless of the outcome of the May 2025 bond.”
If the bond passes, redistricting will occur when the new middle school opens in 2028. If the bond fails and the new middle school is not built, redistricting will occur for the 2026-27 school year, adjusting boundaries to equitably fit Pre-K-2 students across the elementary schools, with grades 3 and 4 housed at Cornerstone.
At the Dec. 17 board meeting, the board will vote on the second resolution to proceed with the bond issue. Wooster City Schools will continue to provide regular updates on the bond issue and redistricting plan. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and participate in the conversation by visiting the district’s website at www.woostercityschools.org.