Introduction

The Shaker Heights City School District is pleased to provide updates on the latest developments with various renovation projects as a part of the District’s Long-Term Master Facilities Plan. The District's commitment to enhancing the educational environment for students continues to drive these efforts.

Activating the Long-Term Master Facilities Plan has been well underway. Below are opportunities for engagement. If you have a question or comment on the facilities plan, please fill out this form. Share this newsletter with friends and neighbors in Shaker Heights! Subscribe to the facilities newsletter.

In this Message

• Board of Education Dedicates Work Session to 2025 Facilities Plan Strategy
• Joint District-City Work Session Advances Review Process for Woodbury
• Composting Bins Available at Elementary Schools Starting April 22

Board of Education Dedicates Work Session to 2025 Facilities Plan Strategy

At the Board of Education’s February 25 Work Session, the Long-Term Master Facilities Plan project team updated the Board on several components of the Plan’s implementation.

The most recent design for the new Woodbury campus building was reviewed. As a part of this review, the Board discussed extensively the concept of constructing a traffic loop on the South Woodland side of the building. Following their discussion, the Board agreed to not authorize further design of the loop given preliminary cost estimates (approximately $1 million of unbudgeted funds) and the residual impact of its construction. If the loop were to be installed, it would be at the expense of reduced green space for the athletic practice fields on the front lawn as well as the removal of two “Century” oak trees. The oak trees, which have grown safely over the last 100 years, were assessed last fall by a certified arborist who reported that both trees were in healthy condition and recommended that they be protected during construction.

The current site plan for the new Woodbury building calls for bus traffic to queue along South Woodland Road and for car traffic to use Woodbury Road to enter the campus and proceed through a drop-off lane on site. Walkers and bike-riders will travel onto the campus using sidewalks and pathways that keep their traffic separated from cars, buses and vans. The architects are completing a traffic study now which will inform traffic management strategies on public roadways. The District will work with the City to regulate drop-off/pick-up patterns when the new campus opens.

The Work Session also included an update on the Ludlow Early Learning Center and the strategy for launching the design work for the renovation of the K-5 buildings. Project team members explained how the integration of the District’s Sustainability Plan documents (Basis of Design [BOD] and Owner’s Project Requirements [OPR]) will inform the execution of the K-5 renovation projects. An update on the Fernway addition also was presented. Design sessions will be held at the end of April and in early June to advance the K-5 renovation planning and design.

Joint District-City Work Session Advances Review Process for Woodbury

At the monthly Joint Work Session held on February 27, the District’s architects presented an updated overview of the schematic design process to representatives of the City Planning Commission, Architectural Board of Review (ABR) and appointed community members. Required zoning variances were outlined and the schedule to approve the building’s schematic design, which includes its site plan, landscape and tree preservation plan, and building elevations, was confirmed.

Composting Bins Available at Elementary Schools Starting April 22

Shaker Heights City Council has approved a free citywide composting program offered through a partnership with Rust Belt Riders and Shaker Heights Schools. Residents who enroll in the program can drop off compost at bins located at all five Shaker K-5 schools and the Main Branch of the Shaker Heights Public Library. The program launches on Earth Day (April 22). Learn more and pre-register here.