Yellow Springs planning team unveils draft master plan to convert Mills Lawn to pre‑K–4, adds middle/high school renovations

The presenter outlined an early draft of a master plan that would convert Mills Lawn into a pre‑K–4 school, reconfigure middle- and high‑school spaces on the adjacent site and add new facilities, including a main gym, student dining room and a 350‑seat auditorium configuration.

The plan would move fifth‑ and sixth‑grade students to the middle/high site, freeing space at Mills Lawn and allowing the modular classroom to be removed, the presenter said. The Mills Lawn work is described as a renovation (keeping the existing building envelope while replacing systems and finishes) with targeted ‘‘deep renovation’’ zones where full gut work is needed, such as large group restrooms.

The presenter listed major elements the design team is proposing: roof replacement or restoration, window replacement, masonry tuckpointing, and full replacement of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems; new technology, finishes and furniture; and a roughly 6,000‑square‑foot front‑office addition with a secure vestibule, principal’s offices, a conference room and administrative support spaces.

At the middle/high site, the team described a ‘‘demo‑renovate‑add’’ approach: abating and demolishing the three‑story tower and adjacent low‑rise fragments (referred to in the presentation as ‘‘the shoe box’’ and ‘‘the spaceship’’), renovating parts of the 1963 and 2002 buildings and constructing substantial new wings to create distinct middle‑ and high‑school zones connected to a central core.

The central core would include a new student dining room and library served by a new kitchen. The performing‑arts proposal calls for new theater and scene‑shop spaces and the option of retractable theater seating to create an auditorium with about 350 seats, the presenter said. Athletic upgrades include a new main gym that can be configured for graduations and events, separate auxiliary gym space, new locker rooms, training rooms and improved access to outdoor athletic facilities.

Safety and circulation changes in the draft plan include a new secure entry and vestibule, controlled access points with card readers, and a one‑way vehicle loop on College Street with designated drop‑off and expanded visitor and staff parking as well as a larger event parking area to the north of the campus.

Restrooms were cited as a key community concern. The design team proposed large group restrooms to serve the gym and auditorium, restrooms adjacent to locker rooms and outdoor track areas, clinic and family restrooms, and single‑use restrooms (private stalls with shared sinks) in the academic wings to improve privacy and accessibility.

On schedule, the presenter said the design work is underway through the coming fall, with construction slated to start in Winter 2024 and continue through summer 2026, targeting completion by summer 2026. The presenter emphasized the project is in an early phase and the drawings are a first draft intended to prompt community feedback.

To gather input, the team scheduled multiple engagement opportunities: a Performing Arts committee meeting (the 12th), a sustainability committee session on March 14, a student input session on March 15, an all‑day staff input session at the high school, and planned community forums (the team expects a second forum next month and a third forum in early fall).

Tonight’s meeting included seven breakout groups for focused feedback: Planning (site layout, circulation and interactions between younger and older students), a community history/values group (local landmarks, organizations and desired community uses), Sustainable Design (geothermal, solar and daylighting), Performing Arts (band, stage and theater), Physical Education/Athletics (gyms, locker rooms and training), Food Service (kitchen equipment and operations) and Library (library layout, soft seating and esports/media spaces). Facilitators were named for each group during the presentation.

The presenter closed by explaining the small‑group schedule (three 15‑minute rotations with a short report‑back) and invited attendees to stay after to share additional comments with the project team. The project team said it will continue to refine designs based on the feedback collected at these sessions and future forums.

Next steps: design development through the coming months, targeted stakeholder sessions and community forums, and continued refinement of scope and schedule ahead of the planned construction window.