Oswego School District 308 Invites Community Input on Future Plans

Community members in the Oswego School District 308 have the opportunity to influence the future of their schools through a series of upcoming meetings. As part of a master facility plan aimed at addressing the district’s current and future building needs, these gatherings will allow residents to voice their opinions and suggestions.

The community meetings began in September and will continue this month, with a notable meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. on October 22, 2023, at Thompson Junior High School located at 440 Boulder Hill Pass, Oswego. A virtual meeting will follow at 7 p.m. on October 27, 2023. The architectural firm Wight & Company, which specializes in educational environments, will facilitate these discussions.

Last year, the school board unanimously approved a contract valued at $380,000 with Wight & Company for the development of the master facility plan. During a community meeting on September 10, Stuart Brodsky, a principal at Wight & Company, outlined the firm’s mission. “We specialize in designing educational learning environments, particularly early childhood through 12th grade,” he stated. “We also focus on creating healthy and sustainable learning environments, ensuring that buildings are environmentally friendly and conducive to student well-being.”

As part of the master facility plan, Wight & Company is assessing the physical condition of the district’s buildings. This includes evaluating elements such as walls, roofs, windows, mechanical systems, and lighting. Brodsky emphasized that the plan also incorporates “educational alignment,” which refers to the process of harmonizing the interior and site learning environments with the district’s strategic objectives.

To enhance educational alignment, the plan proposes several improvements across the district. Suggestions include modernizing administrative spaces at Murphy Junior High, upgrading the science labs at Oswego High School, and expanding student parking at Oswego East High School.

Wight & Company noted that while 80 percent of the district’s buildings were constructed between 1995 and 2010, the district has maintained these facilities well, with no buildings currently in critical condition.

For further information about the Long-Range Facility Plan, community members can visit the district’s official website at sd308.org. The ongoing engagement with residents reflects the district’s commitment to creating a collaborative approach to planning for the future of education in Oswego.