C-M superintendent offers update on redistricting, Wylandville construction
Canon-McMillan School District administrators hosted a “Coffee Talk” on Tuesday to update residents about the construction of the new, state-of-the-art $79 million Wylandville Elementary School and the school district’s redistricting plans.
The new school will be located on the same campus as the existing building and will house students from Wylandville and Borland Manor elementary schools.
Canon-McMillan Superintendent Dr. Greg Taranto – who quipped that he does not drink coffee – said construction of the new elementary school has fallen behind schedule due to labor shortages and other issues, and is expected to be completed by July 1, 2027, but the completion date could be pushed back.
The redistricting includes the closing of Borland Manor Elementary School, and calls for shifting some population from the Hills-Hendersonville side of the school district toward Muse, Muse to South Central and South Central toward new Wylandville.
The some population from the Hills-Hendersonville will shift rooms, including from the side of the school district toward Muse, Muse to South Central and South Central toward new Wylandville, said Taranto in an email.
“The redistricting will allow us to better balance class sizes and free up classroom space to offer full-time kindergarten for the first time,” Taranto said. “This is all completely dependent on the construction of the new Wylandville Elementary.”
The district plans to pay for the project without reimbursement from the state. Approximately $28 million in district funds have been earmarked for the construction, according to Dr. Joni Mansmann, Director of Business & Finance. According to Mansmann, the bond issue would be paid over a 30-year period. Pittsburgh-based Massaro Construction is serving as the contractor.
“We will take this month by month,” said Taranto. “So there’s a possibility, a real possibility that everything gets pushed a year.”
Taranto said additional details, including proposed boundary maps and a timeline for the school’s opening, will be shared through a letter and at a town hall meeting that will be held in February.
Taranto said the new school building and the redistricting will “improve the educational experience” for every student in the school district.”
The 149,200-square-foot school will include notable design features including a shared stage between the gymnasium and cafeteria, large team rooms for third- and fourth-grade students, two artificial play areas, and an outdoor classroom space.
Dedicated rooms for related arts and specialized programming will also be integrated into the climate-controlled facility. Other features include elevators, braille signs visual annunciators, grab bars, lever hardware, and wide clearance paths. The kindergarten classrooms will be constructed to meet EF5 tornado shelter standards.
Additionally, the school building will use energy-efficient materials, sustainable site design, indoor environmental quality controls, water-efficient systems, and occupancy-sensor lighting. Gas-fired boilers will power the HVAC system, which will provide climate control and carbon monoxide monitors in the air units to regulate ventilation. Hands-free faucets and flush valves will be installed to promote hygiene and reduce water usage.