Student safety is a top priority in the design and operation of the modular buildings. The modulars would include the same secure door access controls that we currently have at Smith and Harman. The principal’s and school counselor's offices would be located within the modular complex to ensure consistent administrative oversight.  Additionally, the modulars would be equipped with security cameras.

Yes, the modular buildings are required to meet ADA requirements.

Yes. Each modular building will include its own bathroom facilities for boys, girls, and staff.

The soil at Katharine Wright Park would be evaluated to determine its capabilities and needs. The modular site would then likely be prepared with a gravel base. Drainage at the park would not be impacted due to the area not losing permeable ground. Our engineers will carefully evaluate site preparation requirements as part of the planning process.

Traffic flow around Smith will be informed by a formal traffic study conducted as part of the planning process. The findings will shape drop-off and pick-up procedures, parking assignments, school start times, and overall traffic patterns around the school site during construction, as well as a possible temporary throughway.

When construction occurs at Smith, we don’t anticipate increased parking demand. Construction workers will park at Lane Stadium and be shuttled to and from the construction site.

When construction occurs at Harman, we will explore the possibility of a few temporary Wright Library Parking Only spots during the construction period. We will explore the possibility of providing a staff shuttle service.

Yes. Additional bike racks will be made available for Harman students during the construction period.

The district plans to complete renovations of the art room, music room, gymnasium, cafeteria, and kitchen at Smith during the summers of 2027 and 2028. This means those spaces will be fully available to students throughout the school year, with no interruption to specials or lunch service.  We will explore the possibility of collaborating with Wright Memorial Library to utilize library time. The playground and blacktop will be accessible to students for recess during construction.

The district is exploring staggered start and end times for the two elementary schools during the construction period. Staggered schedules would help manage traffic and parking during drop-off and pick-up, as well as lunch service and recess.

Students will have access to art, music, gymnasium, and cafeteria spaces for specials and lunch service. Staggered start times are also being explored, which would provide more time throughout the school day for students to access shared spaces. By the time Harman students are in the modulars, shared spaces will have been fully renovated, offering a more modern and efficient environment for everyone. The playground and blacktop will be accessible to students for recess during construction.

In addition to parent drop-off and student walking, the district is exploring the possibility of providing shuttle service between Harman School and the modular campus near Smith Elementary.

The modular buildings being removed from Katharine Wright Park will commence immediately following the 2028–2029 school year. This process is anticipated to take approximately 6–8 weeks.

Prior to modular building installation, the district will work with the Library and the City to determine the scope of the restoration of Katharine Wright Park. This restoration work will commence at the same time as the removal of the modular buildings. The district is committed to restoring Katharine Wright Park to a condition acceptable to the Library, the City, and the community as a whole.

The District is currently in conversations with representatives from the City and Wright Memorial Library.  We anticipate seeking approvals from the City Planning Commission and Wright Library Board this Summer.

Oakwood City Schools will share updates through the district website, district newsletter, and the Oakwood Scene, a community newsletter distributed through the Oakwood Register. Community members with questions or comments are also encouraged to reach out directly to Neil Gupta at gupta.neil@oakwoodschools.org or by visiting an upcoming Superintendent Community Coffee event.