Long-Range Facilities Master Plan

Clayton Voters to Consider Bond Issue on April 7
 

The School District of Clayton Board of Education voted unanimously at its Jan. 21 meeting to place Proposition O, a $135 million, zero tax rate increase bond referendum, on the April 7 ballot. If approved, Prop O would fund the first phase of projects identified in the District’s Long-Range Facilities Master Plan, including:

• The full renovation of Glenridge Elementary School to modernize infrastructure and create a safe, future-ready learning environment;
• Construction of a new STEM Learning Lab at Clayton High School to expand career and technical education opportunities; and
• Upgrades to Clayton High School’s athletic campus, Gay Field, to improve safety, accessibility and community use.

Since spring 2024, the District has worked closely with families, staff, students, City leaders and community members to shape the Long-Range Facilities Master Plan. The process included community conversations, forums, surveys, focus groups, and expert evaluations, along with site assessments and feasibility studies to ensure strategic, future-focused planning.

Based on this research, the Board engaged Paragon Architecture and Perkins&Will to develop plans for the District’s three elementary schools and Clayton High School. BLDD Architects was selected to identify needed improvements to Gay Field, Adzick Field and Wydown Middle School’s outdoor field. To estimate potential costs, the District has worked with BSI Constructors throughout the planning process.

If approved, Prop O would fund approximately $135 million in projects at the District’s current debt levy of $0.5110 per $100 assessed valuation, resulting in no increase to the tax rate. Visit ClaytonPropO.org to learn more. 

Update on Facilities Improvements and Funding Options

The District’s Long-Range Facilities Master Plan work continues to move forward. Design partners at Paragon Architecture and Perkins&Will have been developing preliminary schematic design concepts for potential renovations and construction at all three elementary schools, as well as a proposed academic wing at CHS to support expanded Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming, and theatre updates to improve accessibility and better support learning.

Meanwhile, BLDD Architects has been exploring concepts for improvements to outdoor athletic facilities at Gay Field, Adzick Field and Wydown Middle School. BSI Constructors, the District’s construction manager, is collaborating with both design teams to prepare initial cost estimates and project timelines.

During the Dec. 10 Board of Education meeting, the design teams shared preliminary schematic designs. 

Watch the meeting (the discussion begins at 42:45 in the meeting video). 

To maintain stable taxes and ensure Clayton’s facilities remain strong for future generations, the District is taking a phased approach that prioritizes the most critical projects. While no decisions have been made, the Board of Education is considering a zero tax rate increase bond referendum and is expected to determine next steps at its Jan. 21 meeting.

Based on current financial assumptions—and pending voter approval—the District could issue up to $135 million in additional bonds for facility improvements without increasing the current debt levy. 

Community Tours and Next Steps 

On Nov. 18, community members gathered at Glenridge and Meramec to tour the District’s two oldest schools. These tours were held in lieu of the previously scheduled community engagement forum at Clayton High School and provided residents with an opportunity to walk the halls and hear firsthand about the challenges students and staff face each day in these century-old buildings.

Looking ahead, the District remains focused on exploring opportunities to create future-ready learning environments, while remaining mindful of the significant long-term investment this work may require from the community. While no decisions have been made at this time, the District will continue refining schematic designs and developing a plan that meaningfully supports student learning and upholds Clayton’s tradition of excellence for years to come.

Community Tours Planned for Nov. 18 

As part of the District’s ongoing commitment to creating future-ready learning environments, Clayton is advancing projects identified through its Long-Range Facilities Master Plan. Community members are invited to take part in this process by touring the District’s two oldest schools—Glenridge Elementary and Meramec Elementary.

Built in 1929 and 1939, these nearly century-old buildings pose daily challenges to teaching and learning. Come walk the halls, explore the spaces, learn about the District’s vision to modernize these facilities to support future-ready learning and help shape the future of Clayton’s schools.

These tours will be offered in place of the District’s previously planned third Community Engagement Forum at Clayton High School, with sessions available at 7 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. at each school. Save the date and make plans to attend.

LRFMP Board of Education Presentation 

At the Sept. 25 Board of Education meeting, members of the District’s design team shared updated site plans for the three focus areas in the Long-Range Facilities Master Plan (LRFMP):

• Goal 1: Elementary School Modernization – led by Perkins & Will and Paragon Architecture
• Goal 2: Clayton High School Academic Spaces – led by Perkins & Will and Paragon Architecture
• Goal 3: Athletic Facilities – led by BLDD Architecture

Looking ahead, the District is launching a telephone survey and online surveys to gather additional community input. This feedback, together with insights from upcoming community forums, will guide the next phase of the planning process.

View the Sept. 25 LRFMP presentation. 

Community Tours 

The School District of Clayton invites the community to take guided tours of Glenridge and Meramec Elementary.

Glenridge Elementary School
7447 Wellington Way
Tuesday, Oct. 7 
4:15–5 p.m.

Meramec Elementary School
400 S. Meramec Ave.
Monday, Oct. 13
4:15–5 p.m. 

See firsthand the spaces where generations of students have learned and explore how the District is planning for the future. Tours are open to all parents, neighbors and community members. Find out more and RSVP to attend. 

Community Engagement Forums, Preliminary Site Plans

At the Sept. 10 Community Engagement Forum, the District's design partners shared preliminary site plans for the modernization of Clayton’s schools and athletic facilities. Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and provide valuable feedback on the proposed designs. Watch the video shared at the meeting to learn more about Clayton's vision to transform its facilities so they support how students learn today and how they will lead in the future.

In the coming weeks, the design team will continue refining the plans based on community input to ensure they reflect our shared needs. Please save the date for the next Community Engagement Forums: Tuesday, Oct. 21 and Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. 

Exploring Possibilities: Site Tour of Spoede Elementary
As part of Clayton’s ongoing efforts to reimagine and modernize its elementary schools, 45 teachers and staff recently toured Spoede Elementary in the Ladue School District. This visit followed a similar tour by members of the Board of Education last spring, and also included two former Board members. Both visits were designed to gather ideas that will help shape the District’s long-term vision.

Spoede was selected for several reasons. Most notably, the fully renovated building was designed by Perkins & Will, the same architectural firm that is co-leading Clayton’s elementary school feasibility study. The school also features a variety of modern learning environments, including collaboration spaces, wet labs, reading nooks and more.

As the feasibility study progresses, the tour offered another valuable opportunity for participants to gather insights that will help shape the future of Clayton’s three elementary schools.

Summer Progress and Community Engagement
This summer, the District has continued to make meaningful progress on its Long-Range Facilities Master Plan (LRFMP), which aims to modernize and reimagine learning spaces across Clayton schools.

Over the summer, school-based workshops brought together teachers, administrators and parents to help guide the early planning process. In partnership with Paragon Architecture and Perkins & Will, input sessions were held at each elementary school and Clayton High School. The feedback collected is now informing preliminary design concepts that reflect the needs and aspirations of our school community.

Elementary School Modernization
At the elementary level, several key priorities have consistently emerged:

• Maintaining all three elementary schools (rather than consolidating into two).
• Adding flexible learning spaces and innovation areas, such as makerspaces and mindfulness nooks.
• Enhancing accessibility to support all learners.
• Strengthening community through spaces designed for schoolwide gatherings and events.
• Expanding outdoor learning environments that promote wellness and student engagement.
• Considering how spaces might support The Family Center and early childhood learning.

High School Academic Spaces
At Clayton High School, conversations have centered around supporting academic excellence and future-ready programming. Key areas of focus include:

• The construction of a new academic wing to support expanded career and technical education (CTE) programming.
• Upgrades to the theater seating to enhance comfort and create a more inclusive experience for all attendees at school events.

Next Steps
The District will soon begin working with BLDD to explore options for modernizing the athletic facilities at Wydown Middle School, Gay Field and Adzick Field. These projects will aim to improve safety and accessibility while enhancing the quality of the facilities to support students and the broader community.

Get Involved 
In addition to school-based workshops, the District will host a series of community engagement forums this fall to gather input from residents, families and local business leaders. All forums will take place from 7–8:30 p.m. at Clayton High School on the following dates:

• Wednesday, Sept. 10
• Tuesday, Oct. 21
• Tuesday, Nov. 18

The District looks forward to sharing preliminary design concepts in the coming months and continuing this collaborative process to develop modern, inclusive learning environments that will serve learners for generations to come.

Shaping the Future: Community Input Guides Next Steps, CMAR Interviews Coming Soon
The School District of Clayton is moving into Phase Two of its Long-Range Facilities Master Plan, focusing on three key priorities:

• Elementary School Modernization
• High School Academic Enhancements
• Athletic Facility Upgrades

The District recently began school-based workshops to gather input from parents, teachers, staff and administrators. This fall, the community is invited to continue the conversation at engagement forums held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Clayton High School Library (#1 Mark Twain Circle) on:

• Wednesday, Sept. 10
• Tuesday, Oct. 21
• Tuesday, Nov. 18

To guide thoughtful, informed decisions that support student learning while ensuring long-term financial sustainability, the Board of Education will interview Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) firms on Tuesday, Aug. 12. Early involvement of a CMAR ensures more accurate cost estimates, value engineering, efficient scheduling, and enhanced oversight during potential construction projects.

Stay tuned for additional information as the District moves forward with plans to modernize its facilities.

Planning for the Future:  Clayton Explores Concordia Site to Modernize Facilities

The School District of Clayton is actively exploring opportunities to modernize its facilities to drive academic excellence, enhance student outcomes and better meet the evolving needs of learners and educators today and in the future. This work is guided by the District’s recently completed Long-Range Facilities Master Plan, which shows steady enrollment and highlights priority areas to support student achievement and elevate its facilities. Details about these priorities are outlined below, including the exploration of a potential land purchase for a future elementary school.

Goal 1:  Modernizing Elementary Schools and The Family Center for Future-Ready Learning
Among the District’s top priorities are its three elementary schools—R.M. Captain, Glenridge and Meramec—which face significant challenges due to aging infrastructure and limited site capacity. The Family Center, home to Clayton’s early childhood program, is also being carefully evaluated.

To decide whether extensive renovations at the current sites or building new facilities elsewhere would best serve students and staff, the District has launched a comprehensive feasibility study focused on creating optimized, future-ready learning environments. Community input will be central to this process, alongside expert insights, to help chart the best path forward.

Goals 2 and 3:  Advancing Academic Excellence and Athletic Opportunities at the Secondary Level
At the secondary level, plans include the construction of a new academic wing at Clayton High School to expand access to career and technical education (CTE) programs. The District also intends to renovate the school’s auditorium to improve accessibility and usability.

In addition, athletic facility upgrades are planned for Wydown Middle School, Adzick Field and Gay Field. These enhancements are designed to increase safety, meet ADA standards and create more functional spaces for athletic and extracurricular activities.

Design Partners Selected to Lead the Vision
To support this long-term vision, the District recently completed a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process to engage experienced engineering and design partners to assist with preliminary site planning. At the June 4 Board of Education meeting, Perkins & Will, in partnership with Paragon Architecture, was selected to lead the elementary feasibility study and design both the new academic wing and auditorium upgrades at Clayton High School. In addition, BLDD Architects was chosen to design the District’s athletic facilities.

Exploring a New Opportunity: The Concordia Seminary Site
In connection with the ongoing feasibility study, the District is in preliminary discussions with Concordia Seminary regarding the potential purchase of land on the western side of the seminary’s campus. While these conversations are in the early stages, the site is being explored as a possible location for a new elementary school—should the study determine that new construction is the best path forward. Although no decisions have been made, this opportunity could provide meaningful benefits for students, families, the seminary and the broader Clayton community.

“We want to take Clayton from exceptional to truly transformational,” said Superintendent Dr. Nisha Patel. “To do that, we must modernize our schools and create innovative learning spaces that help all current and future students succeed. This property could provide the space we need for a modern, flexible elementary school with innovation labs and open learning areas that meet the needs of today’s students and future generations.”

Should the District move forward with the purchase, it is important to note that the site is zoned for residential use, so a school would be a natural fit. Additionally, the property is already tax-exempt, so acquiring it would not affect city tax revenue. The site also offers potential cost savings due to minimal demolition and preparation requirements, and its location would not interfere with commercial growth opportunities in other parts of the city.

“Clayton has a proud tradition of excellence,” Dr. Patel added. “This is our chance to build on that foundation by fulfilling the priorities outlined in our Long-Range Facilities Master Plan. We look forward to gathering input and information to fully understand how the Concordia site could support our efforts to modernize our elementary schools for future success.”

Stay Engaged
Preliminary results from the engineering and design firms are expected to be shared in late summer or early fall. While the District is still in the early stages of its planning process, any new construction or major development would require voter approval through a bond issue. 

District Advances Plans to Modernize Schools

The School District of Clayton has a proud legacy of educational excellence, rooted in strong community support and a shared dedication to student success. Building on this foundation, the District is taking bold, strategic steps to transform its already exceptional schools into truly transformational learning environments.

Guided by its Long-Range Facilities Master Plan, the District is entering the second phase of a multi-year process to modernize school facilities. These efforts are designed to foster student achievement, empower educators and meet the evolving needs of learners—today and for generations to come.

Putting Students First: Three Priorities for Facility Modernization
With student enrollment projected to remain stable, the District has identified three goal areas to guide this next phase of work:

1. Elementary School Modernization
The District’s three elementary schools—R.M. Captain, Glenridge and Meramec—face increasing challenges due to aging infrastructure and limited space. A comprehensive feasibility study will explore all options, including site renovations and the potential construction of new buildings. The Family Center, which serves the District’s youngest learners, is also under review to ensure it continues to meet the needs of children and families.

2. High School Academic Enhancements
At Clayton High School, plans include the addition of a new academic wing to expand course offerings and strengthen career and technical education (CTE) programs such as Robotics,  Geometry in Construction and other hands-on learning. Upgrades to the school auditorium are also planned to better support performances, assemblies and community events.

3. Upgraded Athletic Facilities for Equity and Engagement
The District is exploring key improvements to its athletic spaces to increase student participation, improve accessibility and enhance the overall experience:

• Gay Field: Considering either renovations to improve accessibility and safety or relocating the field closer to Clayton High School to boost student engagement.
• Adzick Field: Upgrades to the press box and dugouts are under evaluation.
• Wydown Middle School: Turf installation is being considered to improve field usability and versatility.

These updates aim to "level the playing field" by creating more inclusive, functional and welcoming spaces for athletics and extracurricular activities.

Selecting the Right Partners
To bring this vision to life, the Board of Education initiated a competitive Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process in April to identify leading engineering and design firms. Out of 16 applicants, three finalists were selected—and on June 4, the Board approved the firms that will lead the preliminary design phase of the District’s future-ready facilities work.

• Perkins & Will, in partnership with Paragon Architecture, will lead the elementary school feasibility study and design academic improvements at Clayton High School. Paragon brings in-depth knowledge of District needs from its work on the Long-Range Facilities Master Plan, while Perkins & Will offers extensive experience designing innovative learning environments.
• BLDD Architects has been selected to design athletic facility upgrades across the District. With a local office in Webster Groves and a nationally respected portfolio of K–12 and collegiate projects, BLDD will help the District reimagine athletic spaces as inclusive, student-centered environments that support learning and engagement beyond the classroom.

Next Steps: Fiscal Responsibility and Community Engagement
The District understands that high-quality schools are essential—not only for student success but also for maintaining strong home values and preserving the community’s reputation as a premier destination for families. At the same time, the District is fully committed to managing taxpayer dollars responsibly to ensure the long-term health and success of both its schools and the Clayton community.

Looking ahead, the District is considering the possibility of a future bond issue to help modernize its school facilities. While no final decisions have been made, any potential investment would be carefully reviewed to ensure it is fiscally responsible and aligns with the District’s long-term goals. 

The last bonds, approved in 2009 and 2010, funded major improvements at Clayton High School and Wydown Middle School. Like those past efforts, a future bond would support plans to update facilities, improve student outcomes and serve the community for many years to come.

To help guide this process, the Board authorized a search for a Construction Manager At-Risk (CMAR) at its June 4 meeting. This delivery method is preferred because it offers a single point of accountability and helps protect the District’s financial interests through competitive bidding, cost control and risk management if construction proceeds. Additionally, the Board approved a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to select a public engagement firm to lead outreach and maintain transparent communication with the community. Decisions on both the CMAR and the engagement firm are expected by late summer or early fall. 

Progress Continues on Long-Range Facilities Master Plan

The District continues to make meaningful progress on its Long-Range Facilities Master Plan (LRFMP).

In February, the planning process reached an important milestone when Paragon Architecture presented its findings to the Board of Education. Building on that momentum, the Board has now approved a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify architectural and engineering design partners for three goal areas:

1. Feasibility and Design Development for all three elementary school buildings and the Family Center. 
2. Academic wing addition at CHS for Robotics, Geometry in Construction and similar programs; plus upgrades to the CHS Auditorium. 
3. Athletic facility improvements (either at Gay Field or in Shaw Park adjacent to CHS), Adzick field press box/dugouts and artificial turf at WMS. 

The RFQ for architectural and engineering services was issued on April 23. Firms are invited to submit their qualifications by May 13, with reviews scheduled for mid-May. 

Design partners are expected to be announced at the Board of Education meeting on June 4. 

This next phase of planning will play a key role in shaping the future of the District. Stay tuned for more updates as this important work moves forward. 

The School District of Clayton is pleased to share the findings from our Long-Range Facilities Master Plan process. To develop this plan, the District followed a comprehensive engagement process to assess facility maintenance needs and identify priority projects that will shape the District’s future.

The District's Long Range Facilities Master Plan was developed in partnership with Paragon Architecture. The 10-month study included a series of community input sessions, in-depth building assessments and a demographic study to analyze enrollment trends. The findings from this study were shared with the community at the Feb. 19 Board of Education meeting. 

• Watch the presentation to hear key insights and learn more about potential facility improvements.
• View the Long-Range Facilities Master Plan presentation.
• Explore the supporting documents featured below to gain an understanding of the process, priority projects and potential future costs. 

The Long-Range Facilities Master Plan is a framework to help the District make informed decisions about facility investments that will support student learning today and in the future. In the coming months, the District will assess the feasibility of these findings and chart the best path forward. While there's still a lot of work to be done, community support involvement will be crucial.

When voters approve a bond referendum, they are giving a school district permission to incur debt through the sale of General Obligation Bonds to the public to raise the funds needed for major capital projects, such as building renovations, new construction and large-scale facility upgrades. District taxpayers repay this debt over time through what is called a “debt levy.”  This tax differs from the District’s operating tax levy, which is intended to cover day-to-day expenses such as staff salaries, classroom materials, transportation costs and utilities.

Passing bond referendums prevents the district from having to divert funds from instructional resources to pay for significant facility improvements, while allowing the District to address long-term infrastructure needs. (It is important to note that bond funds cannot be used to fund operating expenses.)

The current debt levy is $0.5110 per $100 assessed value. With voter approval, the School District of Clayton would have the capacity to issue up to $135 million in additional General Obligation Bonds to fund facility improvements without increasing the debt levy. This financial position enables the District to move forward with essential facility improvements while maintaining its long-standing record of fiscal responsibility and stable tax rates for the community.

The most recent bond referendum presented to voters by the School District of Clayton was Prop W in 2010. The resulting $39.4 million bond issue funded the complete reconstruction of Wydown Middle School at its current site. Today, Wydown is ranked #1 in Missouri by Niche, and its student-centered learning spaces continue to meet the needs of Clayton students.

The District’s current residential tax rate will remain steady through 2029 due to ongoing payments of interest and principal on existing bond debt.

The District is monitoring the Senior Property Tax Freeze program, which takes effect in 2025. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the tax freeze program will reduce District revenue by about $473,000. The District estimates a cumulative revenue loss of approximately $6-8 million over the next decade.