Central DeWitt Community School District is launching the development of a long-term facilities plan with two primary goals: to understand student needs and align facilities with curriculum, and to create a fiscally responsible approach for maintaining and improving existing buildings.
The process began in November 2024 with Denovo Construction Solutions. Denovo reviewed all district facilities, worked closely with staff and administrators to evaluate each building, and provided a comprehensive report outlining current conditions and anticipated maintenance needs.
With that foundation in place, the District is moving into the next phase of planning. In September 2025, Central DeWitt partnered with DLR Group, an architecture and engineering firm with extensive experience in school master planning across Iowa. DLR Group brings design expertise and firsthand knowledge of what is possible in modern school spaces. Their role is to translate educational priorities into thoughtful, buildable solutions, enhance the flexibility and quality of learning environments, and provide practical guidance on safety, accessibility, system upgrades, cost modeling, and phasing so projects can be sequenced responsibly over time.
Importantly, not all projects identified in the plan would come from tax dollars or result in higher taxes. The District will consider a variety of funding sources to minimize the impact on local taxpayers.
DLR Group will collaborate with the District and community to gather input and establish priorities that strengthen student programs while aligning investments with long-term needs. This comprehensive process is expected to take approximately six months, with the goal of School Board approval of the Master Facility Plan in spring 2026. Throughout the process, the Board and community will remain active partners in shaping the plan.
Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Mishler noted, “Partnering with Denovo and DLR Group allows us to listen first and plan wisely. Our goal is to align our facilities with the excellence our students deserve while being responsible with the resources our community entrusts to us. We are excited to engage staff, families, and community members as we build a clear, long-term plan for Central DeWitt.”
Please direct any questions to Dr. Stephanie Mishler, Superintendent, at (563) 659-4705 or stephanie.mishler@cd-csd.org.