Oct 28, 2021 - News

Columbus school construction plan in progress

Alissa Widman Neese

A group of people gathers around a large map on a table, listening to an architect describe it — Project manager Dennis Paben, of Legat Architects, leads guests through a planning exercise for Columbus school buildings. Photo: Alissa Widman Neese/Axios

Columbus City Schools is planning for major facility changes in the years ahead and is inviting the community to be part of the process by attending a series of meetings.

Why it matters: Many school buildings need to be replaced, repaired or modernized, which will impact the 45,000 students enrolled in the state's largest school district.

As enrollment declines, consolidation could also increase efficiency.

What's happening: About a dozen guests attended a recent meeting at the Columbus Metropolitan Library's main branch.

To discuss what should stay and go, they assembled plastic pieces representing students on giant maps of the district and its buildings. It wasn't easy.

What they're saying: "Discussions about the high schools are when it really starts to get sentimental," project manager Dennis Paben of Legat Architects, the firm the district hired, tells Axios. "That's why we're making the process vision-forward."

What's next: The final round of conversations on specific plan options starts Nov. 30.

A committee of volunteers hopes to present final recommendations in March 2022.

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Columbus school construction plan in progress

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