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Oakwood superintendent previews master facility plan update and flags modular classrooms as an option
Summary
The Oakwood Schools superintendent told the board the district is reviewing its master facility plan after changes tied to the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission and enrollment trends, and said modular classrooms (potentially at Catherine Wright Park) are being considered as a rapid, temporary option; no decisions were made.
The Oakwood Schools superintendent used the board’s regular meeting to update members on the district’s master facility planning process and to introduce several recommended hires.
The superintendent said the 2018 community-driven master facility plan and the phase-one work completed in 2019 now face new factors — including recent changes involving the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission and shifting enrollment data — that require reconsideration of later phases. The superintendent said the district is not unveiling a new plan today and that any major changes will come after further study.
On interim space, the superintendent described modular classrooms as a tool to add capacity quickly and to minimize student and staff disruption during renovations. The superintendent said the district has discussed placing modulars at Catherine Wright Park (the space between Smith Elementary School and the Wright Library) as a leading option but is also evaluating other community locations and working with the city to understand approvals. “No decisions have been made,” the superintendent said, adding that an early-fall timeline is a tentative milestone for seeking approvals if the district pursues modulars.
The superintendent framed modulars as a way to keep projects “safe and fast,” reducing the need to move students repeatedly during construction. The district will gather requested information from the city and report back to the board before making site or procurement choices.
The superintendent also introduced recommended personnel actions tied to district operations and school leadership. Eileen Epley was recommended for a three-year administrative contract as special education supervisor; she told the board she is “so incredibly grateful for this opportunity” and looks forward to collaborating with special education families and staff. Braden Kendall, recommended as assistant principal at the high school beginning Aug. 1, thanked the interview team and said he and his family recently moved to Oakwood. The superintendent introduced Zoe Gagnon as a recommended second-grade teacher at Smith Elementary and Summer Braiding as a recommended clinic nurse at Harmon Elementary, each of whom briefly addressed the board.
During public comment that followed, resident Jill Brooks, a former principal, urged the district to hold public discussions before placing modular classrooms in community spaces and suggested the district offer an email sign-up option to reduce printing costs. Brooks also noted that local voters see frequent levies and asked whether broader community forums or referendum-style engagement are being used to set priorities for savings and cuts.
What happens next: the superintendent said staff will continue to refine options, work with the city on approvals, and return to the board with more detailed recommendations. No final decisions or binding approvals were taken at the meeting.
