Development of Long Range Facilities Planning Study Underway

The Watertown Unified School District hired Plunkett Raysich Architects (PRA) of Milwaukee in January to conduct a Long Range Facilities Planning Study to determine the current and future maintenance and programmatic needs of public school buildings in Watertown. Key areas being studied include the condition of roofing, mechanicals, windows, building safety - both interior and perimeter, internal building layout, and best practices for evolving classroom space needs. A team of district officials have been meeting with PRA on a bi-weekly basis since early March 2024 to drive the facilities planning process.

On Aug. 26, 2024, PRA presented an in-depth status report regarding the Long Range Facilities Planning Study to the WUSD Board of Education. To aid in the development of this plan, a separate study was recently completed to gauge future student enrollment growth projections in the school district. The Community Change & Projections Report, conducted by consultant MD Roffers, was presented to the Board of Education on Nov. 18, 2024.

The findings from the MD Roffers report were interwoven into the latest Long Range Facilities Planning Study presentation that was shared at three separate Community Input Sessions held Dec. 3-5 at Watertown High School, Riverside Middle School and at Schurz Elementary School. The Input Sessions were attended by district staff, parents/guardians and interested local citizens.

This planning work is supported by the WUSD's new Strategic Plan, which was developed in partnership by more than 200 members of our community (including district staff, students, parents/guardians, local elected officials, and area citizens) and formally approved by the Board of Education on Oct. 28, 2024.

A second phase of Community Input Sessions to discuss the Long Range Facilities Plan will be held April 22-24, 2025.

WUSD Facilities Assessment Reports

VOLUME 1 & VOLUME 2

Timeline of Progress

Follow the progress of the Long Range Facilities Planning Study and view the supporting documents for the plan below:

June 17, 2024

PRA provides final written report for Phases 1 & 2 to the Board of Education and receives direction for District approach to Phase 3 Options Development.

During this meeting, the Board of Education received the final written report for Phases 1 & 2, including staff survey data and the analysis of programming and learning spaces, and discussion occurred to assist the Board members in consuming the report information.

Board members also considered and directed administration and PRA team members on the approach for Phase 3 Options Development. Handouts and discussion considerations are linked HERE.

May 15, 2024
PRA presents preliminary Phase 1 Facilities Condition report to WUSD Fiscal Management Committee.	The presentation on the Facilities Condition Report can be found HERE.

May 7, 2024
PRA presents preliminary Phase 2 Space and Programming Needs report to the WUSD Educational Services Committee.	The meeting posting is located HERE and the presentation on Phase 2 Space and Programming Needs can be found HERE.

February-March 2024
PRA conducts Phase 1 Facilities Condition Assessment.	The Facilities Condition Assessment process included a survey and documentation of the physical condition of all WUSD buildings based on exposed conditions. The result of this study is a detailed and prioritized maintenance list to address material conditions and bring the buildings to current code/safety standards.