Mr. Corbett Drew reported construction progress, noting electrical, plumbing, and sprinklers are complete, with steel installation scheduled and roof work expected to be dried in before Christmas. Park View has all permits in place, with fencing and site work beginning immediately; the project remains on schedule. BCHS design work continues as Cope Architecture collaborates with faculty on programming needs and prepares for procurement. FEMA approval is moving forward following the recent federal reopening.

Mr. Page and Dr. Cash reviewed expansion needs prompted by population growth, updated regulations, class-size mandates, RTI requirements, Pre-K expansion, mental-health services, ESL growth, and revised fire/ADA codes. Required square footage per student has increased from approximately 70 sq. ft. in older buildings to about 130 sq. ft. today, causing many existing facilities to fall short of current programming needs. Spaces such as teacher lounges and partitioned rooms are being used for pull-outs, while some schools utilize hallways with fire marshal approval. Recent projects include larger gyms and cafeterias to accommodate increased usage. Additional secure entryways, expanded IT/network infrastructure, Pre-K classrooms, and elementary-level CTE integration also contribute to increased space demands. The district continues monitoring class-size compliance and anticipates rezoning needs as new subdivisions develop.

Residential development continues to increase across the Cleveland area, with two additional projects planned around Benton Pike, Old Powerline Road, and both sides of Benton Pike. Each is estimated at 150-200 homes, totaling roughly 400 new units already added into the area. Major growth is also occurring on the south side, with the largest concentration on the east and northeast sides of the city.

The previously circulated housing charts remain accurate, though one major planned development—estimated at approximately 500 homes—is currently on hold pending utility availability. Another 300-400 homes are expected along the bypass, now recently annexed into the city. Updated projections for Park View reflect an expected 652 students. Many of the newly annexed neighborhoods sit along the fringe of county school zones, and Mr. Drew noted that families in these areas often choose to drive their children to nearby schools rather than utilize bus routes.

Dr. Cash added that, even with this influx, the largest impact appears to be on the northeast side of the county, with northern county schools seeing increases. Growth is spread across the district rather than concentrating heavily on a single school. While long-standing county families continue to enroll in county schools, many of the new developments being annexed fall within county boundaries, contributing to transportation shifts of parents driving their students rather than the student taking the provided school bus. 

Below is a consolidated summary of each project, the regulatory/programmatic drivers behind it, and its recommended placement within the capital priority sequence.

1. Waterville Elementary Expansion (IMMEDIATE PRIORITY)

Project Goal:
Eliminate portables and return all displaced programs (4th grade and STEM lab) into permanent classrooms.

Key Points:

• Four new classrooms would pull students out of portables.

• Goal: no long-term portable usage.

• Waterville currently houses four CDC classrooms.

• Preschool (FRA-funded) enrollment is capped by state formula.

• The original expansion concept (including cafeteria/gym/storage) was ~$7M; the scaled-down classroom-only option was approximately $2.5M.

• Expansion is needed to support existing enrollment—not future growth.

• Addressing this now also relieves pressure caused when other programs (SPED, ESL) were moved into the main building.

Regulatory / program drivers:

• Space needed to maintain program standards.

2. New Elementary School - Dry Valley Property (Projected 2028-2030)

Project Goal:
Address significant north/northeast residential growth and relieve overcrowding at multiple schools.

Key Points:

• Growth patterns shifted north since 2023 study.

• Dry Valley would offload students from Michigan Ave., North Lee, and surrounding corridors.

• Rooftops now permitted will create need within 3-4 years.

• Construction timeline requires 12-18 months advance decision-making; opening likely 2030.

• Should be designed for 600-700 capacity to meet state requirements and long-term programming demands.

• Recommended ~35-40 acres for modern safety, traffic, and EMS standards.

3. Lake Forest Middle School - Second Gymnasium

Project Goal:
Provide adequate instructional and extracurricular space for a large student population.

Key Points:

• 5 PE teachers, 6 simultaneous classes, and heavy after-hours facility use (6 AM-10 PM).

• Current space insufficient; teams often relocated to other schools or PIE.

• Comparable middle schools (Ocoee, WVHS feeder schools) operate with two gyms.

• Estimated cost: $6M+, likely higher with locker rooms.

Regulatory / program driver:

• Instructional adequacy; safety and scheduling capacity.

4. Lauderdale Sports Complex (Shared Middle School Facility)

Project Goal:
Provide shared athletic facilities for Walker Valley MS feeder area; address overuse conflicts.

Key Points:

• Ocoee is regularly displaced from its own facilities due to shared usage.

• Proposed components: locker rooms, soccer field, football field, parking.

• Cost is estimated at ~$12M.

5. New South Side Elementary School (South Growth Corridor)

Project Goal:
Prepare for major population growth between Exit 20 and ADP 40; replace aging and undersized infrastructure on the south end.

Key Points:

• Henry Newman Farm development (800 homes) is now revived; additional developers are active near ADP 40.

• A 600-student school recommends ~35–40 acres.

• The current Blue Springs site is 19.94 acres. 

• Traffic, EMS access, and future-proofing drive acreage needs.

6. Blue Springs Elementary Property (Existing 19.94 Acres)

Project Goal:
Determine whether property remains viable for a new elementary school.

Key Points:

• Historical commitments and community expectation acknowledged.

• Significant constraints:

  • Adjacent railroad (noise, vibration, chemical transport risk).

  • Insufficient acreage for 600-student modern facility.

  • Historically low enrollment at original school (170-190).

  • Limited expansion potential; narrow frontage.

• The current board is not bound to past board intentions, but should always consider changes in the needs of the school system. 
• Please see the attached letter and photo shared by Mrs. Rachel Goins. 

7. Prospect Elementary - Adjacent Land Purchase Opportunity

Project Goal:
Acquire land to expand cafeteria/gym capacity and accommodate future growth.

Key Points:

• Church adjacent to Prospect willing to consider sale.

• 11.6 acres; landlocked but directly usable for expansion.

• Cafeteria and gym are currently maxed out.

• Could quickly relieve capacity strain.

8. BCHS Track Expansion (6 to 8 Lanes + Reorientation)

Project Goal:
Upgrade track to 8 lanes to allow tournament-hosting and correct drainage issues.

Key Points:

• Base project estimate: $2.5M-$2.8M.

• Additional improvements (bleachers, amenities) could raise to $8M-$11M.

• County previously indicated willingness to contribute $1.8M.

• Can be phased:

  • Phase 1: reorient + drainage + 8 lanes

  • Phase 2: amenities later

Recommended Projects

A. Waterville Elementary Expansion (Immediate Need)
B. New Dry Valley Elementary School (Planning 2027; Build 2028-2030)
C. Lake Forest Middle School - Second Gymnasium
D. Lauderdale Sports Complex
E. New South Side Elementary School (Site TBD)
F. Prospect Elementary - Land Acquisition Opportunity
G. Bradley Central High School Track Upgrade
H. Blue Springs Elementary Site - Hold for Further Evaluation