Walker campus plan would add Charlottesville Early Learning Center, flexible 'swing' school space and central admin relocation

An architect working with the schools outlined a multi‑phase master plan for the Walker campus on Aug. 4 that centers on a new Charlottesville Early Learning Center, repurposes existing campus buildings for interim and longer-term uses, and preserves options for future expansion and additional programs.

Maria Beninski of BMDO presented concept design and a phased strategy that would: (1) house preschool classes temporarily in existing Building A while the new early learning center is designed and built; (2) open a purpose-built, 20‑classroom Charlottesville Early Learning Center (conceived with expansion capacity for about 12 additional classrooms) and terraces that provide direct outdoor learning; (3) repurpose Building B and the site’s gym as a possible home for Lugo McGinnis Academy (an alternative high‑school program); and (4) eventually consolidate central administration into an enhanced north‑side parking and entry area on the campus. Beninski said, “This is a really big deal,” describing the value of concentrating preschool resources in a purpose-built facility.

Design and program highlights

- Scale and timeline: The concept envisions 20 preschool classrooms at opening with room for a future 12-classroom expansion; Beninski described a design period of about one year with construction to follow so that the new facility could open in fall 2028 if the schedule holds.

- Site strategy: The new building is sited near Gentry Lane with a new bus loop and graded terraces so each classroom level has immediate outdoor access. The design reuses existing campus buildings (auditorium, gym and classroom blocks) and requires limited demolition (the small north admin building).

- Swing space: Building A (currently used as classrooms) could operate as an elementary swing school while individual neighborhood elementary schools undergo multi‑month renovations. BMDO noted Building A has roughly 28 classrooms on its upper level and has historically been used at ~600‑student scale for such purposes.

- Program synergies: The campus location near Charlottesville High School and the KTEC center supports potential cross‑program use (for example, Lugo McGinnis Academy needing a gym and shared facilities).

Operational details discussed

- Transportation: School leaders said preschool students would continue to receive bus service; to accommodate existing driver schedules the early‑learning center’s bus runs would likely fall onto the district’s middle‑school tier of routes. Officials noted driver staffing and tier timing (elementary ~7:30 a.m., middle ~8:00 a.m., high ~9:00 a.m.) would factor into start times.

- Phasing: Beninski and school staff described a multi‑phase approach that sequences early learning center construction, re‑use of Building B for the alternative program, temporary use of Building A as swing space, and staged construction of new admin parking and a future preschool expansion.

Funding and next steps

The presentation focused on concept design and site feasibility rather than a full cost package; councilors signaled support for continued planning but noted funding remains to be resolved. Several councilors and school officials discussed state funding prospects and the possibility of a local sales‑tax mechanism; no funding commitment or referendum scheduling was made at the meeting.

Ending

Architects and staff will refine design, complete project programming and return with more detailed cost and schedule information. The early learning center concept is intended both to consolidate preschool services and to provide district-wide flexibility as neighborhood schools consider larger renovations.