Oswego School District 308 Engages Community in Facility Planning

Oswego School District 308 is providing community members with additional opportunities to share their insights on the future of the district. The district is hosting a series of community meetings aimed at developing a master facility plan to address both current and future needs. These meetings commenced in September and will continue throughout October, with the next session scheduled for 6 p.m. on October 22, 2023, at Thompson Junior High School, located at 440 Boulder Hill Pass, Oswego. An additional virtual meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on October 27, 2023.

The planning process is facilitated by Wight & Company, an architectural, engineering, and construction firm. Last October, the school board unanimously approved a contract worth $380,000 with Wight & Company to create this comprehensive facility plan.

Community Input Shapes Educational Environments

During a community meeting held on September 10, Stuart Brodsky, principal at Wight & Company, highlighted the firm’s focus on designing educational environments tailored for students from early childhood through 12th grade. “We specialize in designing healthy and sustainable learning environments,” Brodsky stated. He emphasized the importance of creating spaces that not only benefit the environment but also promote student comfort and well-being.

As part of the facility planning, Wight & Company is assessing the physical conditions of all district buildings, examining critical components such as “the walls, the roof, the windows, the mechanical systems, and lighting,” according to Brodsky. This thorough evaluation also includes a focus on educational alignment, which aims to harmonize the learning environments with the district’s strategic goals.

Brodsky elaborated on this concept: “Educational alignment means we’re going to look at what it would take to better align the interior learning environments and the site learning environments with the goals of the district’s strategic plans.”

The proposed enhancements within the master facility plan include modernizing administrative spaces at Murphy Junior High, improving science labs at Oswego High School, and increasing student parking at Oswego East High School.

Addressing Facility Needs for the Future

Wight & Company noted that approximately 80% of the district’s buildings were constructed between 1995 and 2010. They emphasized that the district has maintained its facilities effectively, with no buildings currently in critical condition.

For further details regarding the Long-Range Facility Plan of School District 308, interested parties can visit the district’s official website at sd308.org. The community’s involvement in this planning process is crucial, as it shapes the educational landscape for future generations.