Community feedback shapes Board-approved phase two facilities master plan

After two years of community conversations, surveys, focus groups and public meetings, the Upper Arlington Board of Education has approved a phase two facilities master plan shaped by feedback from more than 8,500 stakeholder touch points.

The unanimous vote at the Board's June 9 meeting marks a major milestone in a planning process that engaged residents, staff members, students and families in determining the future of Hastings Middle School, Jones Middle School and Burbank Early Childhood School.

Throughout the process, stakeholders shared priorities related to preserving the character of Jones Middle School, addressing aging facilities, expanding early childhood capacity and creating learning environments that will serve students for generations to come. District leaders used that feedback to refine recommendations and develop a final plan presented to the Board this spring.

"The approval of this plan reflects the collective work of our community over the past two years," Superintendent Robert Hunt, Ph.D., said. "Thousands of stakeholders took the time to share their perspectives, ask questions and help shape a path forward for our schools."

The approved phase two facilities master plan includes:

• Rebuilding Hastings Middle School on the site of its current athletic field
• Renovating the original 1923 three-story portion of Jones Middle School for school office space while constructing new learning spaces around it
• Rebuilding Burbank Early Childhood School with additional classrooms to meet community demand
• Installing synthetic turf athletic fields at both middle schools
• Funding temporary space for Jones Middle School students during construction, including modular classrooms near Tremont Elementary School and a third-story addition on the north end of Upper Arlington High School, which can support future district needs

The final recommendation reflects several adjustments made throughout the engagement process. Most notably, the plan preserves and renovates the original three-story section of Jones Middle School, an option developed after extensive community feedback about the building's historic significance and role within the Upper Arlington community.

In addition to approving the master plan, the Board took the first official step toward implementing it by unanimously approving the first two resolutions required to place a combined operating levy and bond issue before voters on November 3 ballot.

The proposed bond issue would raise $273.5 million to fund the second phase of the facilities master plan and is estimated to add 2.25 mills above current collections. A proposed 4.9-mill operating levy would provide funding to maintain the district's educational programs, services and operations.

Combined, the measures would add approximately $1,250 annually, or about $105 per month, in property taxes for a home valued at $500,000, according to estimates from the Franklin County Auditor.

The Board is expected to take action on the second and final ballot resolution at a special meeting scheduled for June 30, 2026.

Additional information about the phase two facilities master plan, including project details and community engagement results, is available at www.uaschools.org/facilities.