District outlines McAnulty renovation plan; kindergarten likely moved to Baldwin High for 2026-27 school year

Superintendent Doctor Lutz told the board the district is developing a plan to renovate McAnulty School that prioritizes a full, holistic replacement of key systems rather than a room‑by‑room phasing approach that would extend construction disruptions. As part of the planning, the district intends to house kindergarten at Baldwin High School for the 2026‑27 school year while work proceeds.

"Wecould probably work on about five rooms at a time," Lutz said, describing teacher concerns about noise and disruption during a phased project. He told the board that teachers and staff favor a more comprehensive project even though that approach carries higher immediate cost, citing contractor conversations that estimated a roughly $1 million difference between a phased and a single‑phase approach for a roughly $10 million project scope.

Nut graf: The choice between phasing and a single, holistic renovation affects construction cost, timing and how the district educates young children during the work. District officials said they will prioritize minimizing classroom disruption for kindergarten students and will begin outreach to parents and local preschools well before the 2026‑27 school year.

Lutz described an educational design concept modeled on a "BizTown" approach — creating storefront‑style dramatic‑play areas and a flexible large‑group space in the schoollibrary to support kindergarten learning goals. He said mechanical and infrastructure work (HVAC, plumbing, electrical) remains the largest portion of the budget and must be addressed even if finishes are the most visible changes.

The superintendent said the district has begun planning to use Baldwin High School as a temporary home for kindergarten and praised the high school staff for successfully hosting preschool programs in the past. Board members and administrators noted that high‑school‑based preschool operations had previously operated with appropriate security and oversight and that the same standards would apply to a temporary kindergarten relocation.

The district plans to continue design work over the summer and will provide more detailed cost estimates and a communications plan in the fall. Lutz emphasized advance outreach: because many families of incoming kindergarteners are not yet on district contact lists, the district will work with local preschools to notify parents early.

Ending: Board members signaled support for further planning; the district will return with firm cost estimates, a phasing proposal and a parent communications plan before final decisions are made.