Part of the new school and campus redesign project that will appear on the June 11 ballot for voter consideration is the addition of four new classrooms at Mabel I. Wilson School. As part of the planning process, Stephen Blatt Architects completed a full battery of space studies on each existing facility with the proposed new grade spans in mind. At both GHS (grades 9-12) and GMS (reconfigured to grades 5-8), no new space was needed based on enrollment projections for at least the next decade. At MIW, though, the facility's capacity requires four additional classrooms to meet the peak of 651 students in grades 2-4 by 2033-24. The total project budget of $53.5 million earmarks $2 million for these new classrooms, including an adjacent small group room and stairwell/egress redesign. This small addition at MIW is critical to ensuring that the overall plan to retain a one-campus model is sustainable well into the future. Prepping the site for further expansion to the school, if the need arises down the road, will be part of the construction work.
The project budget allocates an additional $2.75 million for other renovations and upgrades to MIW, such as continuing the summer 2024 window and door replacements that fall outside the scope of the state revolving renovation funds previously approved by voters. Other upgrades would involve repairing the school's roof, reclaiming the land where 22 modular classrooms are currently sitting, replacing worn floor tile, renovating bathrooms to meet the needs of older students, and installing a STEM room, among other areas. For more information about the school and campus project, visit https://www.msad51.org/apps/
My very best for a great spring break! See you back on April 22.