Facility Master Planning is a process to provide a strategic roadmap for the future of West Geauga Local Schools. It includes a thorough evaluation to identify the overall needs of the district, involves stakeholder participation, and analyzes funding.
Overview
In 2019, a new Facility Master Plan was begun. The process paused during the pandemic. By the time it resumed, Newbury had joined the West Geauga Local School District. The expansion of West Geauga's borders brought new perspectives, opportunities, and resources to the table.
The Master Planning process was reinstated post-pandemic, involving various community stakeholder groups that compose the Facility Master Planning Committee. These groups included parents, local governmental leaders, residents, business owners, teachers and staff. Together, they examined the current education-related needs of the district and explored options to meet those needs for decades to come. The process was facilitated by an architectural firm - The GPD Group.
The work of the Facility Master Planning Committee was presented to the West Geauga Local School District Board of Education during regularly-scheduled board meetings on March 13, 2023; April 3, 2023; and April 24, 2023. Links to those presentations are posted as Reference on this site.
The West Geauga Board of Education hosted a Community Update on September 20, 2023 in the West Geauga Middle School Cafeteria. The meeting provided community residents an opportunity to learn about the conditions of the existing buildings and the process and options that were explored for new and renovated facilities. The link to that presentation is posted as Reference on this page, as well as an FAQ document based on questions from the community.
Based upon the recommendations of the Facility Master Planning Committee and community feedback, the West Geauga Board of Education voted unanimously to place a $128,200,000 bond issue on the May 2025 ballot. If passed by voters, that bond issue would fund construction of a new high school and middle school joined by some shared spaces (auditorium, kitchen, LMC space, etc.) The plan also calls for the construction of a community field house and the renovation/expansion of the current middle school to serve as a Pre-K through Grade 5 facility. The GPD Group presented a conceptual plan for the site, which can be found under Reference on this page.
The new high school/middle school complex would be located to the north of the existing high school which would be demolished. Plans have not been finalized for Westwood or Lindsey Elementary Schools at this time. However, demolition and sale or repurposing of the land for school and/or community recreational use would be possibilities.
This is an exciting time for West Geauga. We encourage you to stay informed and to be involved in the future of our district.