Two of our middle schools - Farnsworth Middle School (built in 1930) and Urban Middle School (built in 1937) - need many repairs and upgrades. Doors and windows, masonry tuckpointing, an over 55-year-old steam boiler, outdated electrical systems, and other isues are creating maintenance difficulties and forcing the buildings into non-compliance with the Americans for Disabilities Act (ADA).
March 2020
The Board of Education approved the formation of a Citizens Advisory Committee to review the facility needs of Farnsworth Middle School and Urban Middle School.
March 2021
Citizens Facility Advisory Committee convened and begins their work.
May 2022
Members of the Citizens Facility Advisory Committee shared their recommendation for Farnsworth and Urban Middle Schools with the Board of Education for their consideration. The recommendation included:
The Board of Education approved the committee’s recommendation and will consider pursuing a referendum in November 2024 for these projects.
January 2023
Should a new Urban Middle School be built on a new site, the Board of Education approved a recommendation to raze the current Urban Middle School site and create both parking and green space for the North High School campus. The recommendation came out of meetings the administration had with North High School stakeholders.
Read the executive summary and decision-making matrix used by the committee:
July 2022
Preliminary schedules presented to the Board of Education.
Stay tuned for further updates!
