Introduction

The Shaker Heights City School District is pleased to provide updates on the latest developments with the Ludlow and Woodbury renovation projects as a part of the District’s Long-Term Master Facilities Plan. The District's commitment to enhancing the educational environment for students continues to drive these efforts.

The primary purpose of the Ludlow project is to create an exceptional and excellent preschool site for our youngest learners. The District is working diligently to balance school site needs such as pick-up and drop-off accommodations and early childhood learning spaces with community-usage requests, green space and tree preservation.

The Woodbury renovation project will transform the site into a Middle Years Building, housing Grades 6-8. This exciting project will preserve the building’s original, historic core – including the iconic clock tower – and will replace the wings, pool and gymnasium areas with new accessible additions, including a new natatorium (pool), auditorium, two gymnasiums and classroom spaces. Replacement of the wings is necessary because the current wings are aligned a half-floor off from the main core. This makes retrofitting them for ADA compliance and modern safety and security needs cost-prohibitive.

Continue reading for project updates and important reminders below!

In this Message

• NEW DATE: Next Facilities Webinar is Thursday, August 1
• GPD to Meet With Architectural Board of Review, Board of Zoning Appeals
• Facilities Advisory Committee to Meet Next Week
• You’re Invited: Join Us for the Ludlow Groundbreaking on Sunday, August 11
• Reminder: Give Your Feedback on Design Priorities for the Woodbury Building
• Share with Your Neighbors: Sign Up To Receive Updates

NEW DATE: Next Facilities Webinar on Thursday, August 1

The next District facilities webinar will be held on Thursday, August 1, at noon. Hear updates, ask questions and receive information on the working process for this exciting and transformative project for the Shaker Heights Schools! Join here: https://shaker.zoom.us/j/94524342669. The webinar will be recorded and posted on the Long-Term Master Facilities Plan webpage.

GPD to Meet with Architectural Board of Review, Board of Zoning Appeals

On August 5, 2024, the GPD Group is expected to make a follow-up presentation of preliminary plans for the Ludlow school building entrance to the City’s Architectural Board of Review (ABR). GPD first presented the plans to the ABR in June. On August 6, 2024, the Board of Zoning Appeals & City Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the District's request for variances related to the renovation of Ludlow. You can view the District’s submission here. (Please Note: Additional documents may be added to the submission prior to the meeting.)

The District is going to the Commission to request variances for the setback of the playground fencing as well as the location of the equipment/waste disposal enclosure. The District plans to return to the Commission with a more detailed plan and to request a variance for the playground space at a later date.

Facilities Advisory Committee to Meet Next Week

After a brief summer hiatus, the District’s Community Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet August 5, 2024, at Woodbury Elementary School. The committee will tour the facility to get a sense of which sections of the building will be renovated and which sections will be demolished as it is converted into a new Middle Years Building. 

You’re Invited: Join Us for the Ludlow Groundbreaking on Sunday, August 11

Mark your calendars for a ceremonial groundbreaking event for the Ludlow school building renovation project on Sunday, August 11, at 2 p.m. All Shaker Heights Schools community members are invited to celebrate this exciting transformation for our youngest learners!

Reminder: Give Your Feedback on Design Priorities for the Woodbury Building

If you have not already, please take a moment to complete this brief survey to help Shaker Heights Schools and our architectural design partners gather feedback from community, families and staff as we enter the initial design of the Woodbury building renovation. Please submit your response by Friday, August 9.

Share With Your Neighbors: Sign Up To Receive Updates

All community members may sign up to receive these ongoing information updates about the District’s long-term facilities plan. Please share this link with your neighbors to sign up: Click here to receive long-term facilities plan updates. (Current staff and families will automatically receive emails.)