District Facilities Plan Outlines Phased Upgrades to Bexley Buildings

The Bexley Board of Education during its May 14, 2025, monthly meeting accepted and approved a District Facilities Plan from architects of Perkins&Will and Moody Nolan.

The Board’s approval indicates their agreement with architects’ general recommendations on how to proceed with building upgrades. At this time, there are no finalized designs for school buildings, nor have there been decisions about financing the District Facilities Plan. 

The following is a synopsis of the recommendations for each building. 

Cassingham Complex

Phase 1 – Build a new Bexley Middle School on the northeast corner of the Cassingham Complex property, where the softball field currently resides (softball field moves off site); following the opening of the new middle school, re-allocate and renovate space from the former middle school to Bexley High School and Cassingham Elementary School and make selective renovations to BHS and Cassingham.

Later phases include the possibility of building a new Bexley High School on the east side of the property, next to the new middle school and to further renovate and build onto Cassingham Elementary. Another option keeps Bexley High School in its current location and further renovate it and Cassingham Elementary by upgrading spaces that were untouched previously. Any work done after Phase 1 would likely occur several years later. Diagrams of Recommended Options

Maryland Elementary

Phase 1 – Build a new addition on the north and west sides of the school, adding classrooms and common spaces, as well as renovate and right size other classrooms; move classrooms for students with disabilities to the first floor. A second phase, occurring years later, would renovate the balance of both levels of the school. Diagrams of Recommended Options

Montrose Elementary

Phase 1 – Build a new stage/multipurpose space and support spaces to the west side of the existing gym, renovate the lower level to right size the cafeteria and kitchen, and move the administrative office to the lower level. The staircase of the front facade would be modified to allow ADA access to the new lower-level administrative office. A second phase, which also would occur years later, would renovate the irregular classroom configuration by adding four small additions on each corner of the building, as well as renovate the remaining spaces that were not addressed earlier. Diagrams of Recommended Options

It is noteworthy that Phase 1 options address upgrades to restrooms and building ADA adequacy, as well as needed physical and mechanical upgrades to all buildings. You are encouraged to review the full report, especially Section 2, which gives more detail of the recommended options for each location.

What’s Next?

The Board of Education and school leaders will collaborate with the district’s Finance and Facilities committees to determine the project’s timing and funding, with a continued focus on transparency and student-centered investment. More information will be shared with the community during the Fall of 2025.