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

• Woodbury Renovation Update
• Eco-Charette Meets on Sustainability

Woodbury Renovation Update

Due to a number of factors, the District no longer expects that the Woodbury building will be ready to reopen as the new Middle Years building for the beginning of the 2027-2028 school year. The timeline outlined in the Long-Term Master Facilities Plan was aggressive from the beginning. In addition, Gilbane Building Company has encountered several unexpected challenges during the demolition, abatement and foundation work that has taken place so far.

The project leadership team is in ongoing conversations regarding an updated timeline for Woodbury and are also reviewing the elementary school renovation schedule. The District is reviewing the 2026-2027 calendar and will present proposed changes to the Board for consideration. Changes are unlikely to impact student start and end dates.

Partial demolition of the wings took place through October. There are two short hallways that serve as a connector between the 1918 building and the wings that were demolished. Gilbane and contractors are developing a shoring plan to be implemented before those hallways are demolished to ensure stability of the 1918 building. Removal of a concrete slab underneath the 1918 building is underway.

Contractors also discovered shale closer to the surface than geotechnical reports showed. Engineers advised Gilbane to excavate the shale, which is complete.

In February, Gilbane met with representatives from the District, City and GPD Group to review ongoing tree protection guidelines for the Woodbury site. Gilbane continues to work on excavation for foundations. The District arborist remains on site to monitor tree protection during excavation. Storm sewer and storm detention installation, as well as underground piping installation, is underway.

Eco-Charette Meets on Sustainability

Various stakeholders in the Long-Term Master Facilities Plan gathered on Wednesday, February 25 for an eco-charette. This engagement opportunity brings together project partners, including District staff and the Board of Education, to discuss priorities for sustainability in the elementary school renovations.

Representatives attended on behalf of the Shaker Heights Schools, City of Shaker Heights, GPD Group, Robert P. Madison International, Gilbane Building Company, Emerald Built Environments, Osborn Engineering, NEO Sustainability and the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission.

As part of the elementary school renovations, each school will be LEED Silver certified, meaning that it meets recognized standards for sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental design, as set by the U.S. Green Building Council. Attendees discussed topics such as water and energy efficiency, carbon footprint, rainwater management, waste management, land protection, access to public transit and more.