Central DeWitt Community School District is midway through its long-range facility planning process, an effort grounded in community engagement, careful analysis, and a commitment to ensuring our schools continue to serve students effectively for decades to come.
The process began with a comprehensive facility assessment conducted by Denovo Construction Solutions and has continued through collaborative planning with DLR Group, a school-focused architecture and engineering firm. Since October, a committee of district staff, school board members, parents, and community members has met monthly to review facility conditions, explore future needs, and shape a shared long-term vision. Their thoughtful dialogue and commitment have been essential to this work.
Through a series of workshops, the committee examined district strengths and challenges, how students learn today, and the spaces needed to support that learning. There was strong consensus around the need for flexible and adaptable learning environments, small-group and collaborative spaces, inquiry-based learning, and updated building systems. The Facility Conditions Assessment confirmed that several major systems, including HVAC, windows, roofs, and interior finishes, have exceeded their typical lifespan.
As the work has progressed, Ekstrand Elementary has emerged as a central consideration. The building’s age, system limitations, and accessibility challenges make its future a key decision point that will significantly influence the district’s broader facility plan. The committee is evaluating the advantages and challenges of different long-term approaches, with the primary question being whether future needs are best addressed through new construction on district property or through renovation and reconfiguration of existing facilities. This analysis considers educational priorities, facility conditions, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
As the district moves toward finalizing a long-range facilities plan, anticipated for School Board approval in early 2026, additional information will be shared and the community will have opportunities to learn more, ask questions, and provide feedback.
Community members are invited to two upcoming informational opportunities. On Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 5:30 p.m., the School Board will host a Work Session exploring how school taxes are calculated, what they fund, and how facility projects connect to long-range financial planning. It is important to note that not all projects identified in the long-range facility plan would be funded through property taxes or result in tax increases. Then, on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 6 p.m., the district will host a community presentation open for all to hear the long-range facility plan, learn about the scenarios under consideration, and ask questions.