The Woodhaven-Brownstown School District (WBSD) consists of eight schools serving more than 5,500 students. Over the last decade, WBSD has worked with Plante Moran Realpoint (PMR) to become a “Destination of Excellence” by upgrading and modernizing its school facilities with no increase to the tax rate.
Developing and funding a new vision
PMR was first engaged in 2013 to assist the district in assessing its facility needs. Working closely with PMR, WBSD developed an inspiring vision for its school buildings — grounded in the district’s mission and PMR’s data on enrollment, utilization, building conditions, and K-12 facility trends and best practices.
Our bond communications team also helped WBSD share the value of these plans with the community, securing funding through a $57 million bond program in 2015, a $12 million sinking fund in 2019, and a $144 million bond program in 2021.
Owner’s representation for K12 capital programs
For each of these programs, PMR was engaged as the owner’s representative to help district leaders oversee completion of each project from pre-planning, planning, and design to construction, move management, and activation. Our project managers and cost accountants lead project teams to meet budget, schedule, and scope requirements while mitigating risk.
Project highlights
Every school in the district has seen improvements over this time.
- Elementary schools: Conversion to Young 5 through fourth grade, renovations and additions, and libraries/media centers transformed into flexible learning commons with smart labs.
- Woodhaven Upper Elementary: Reconfigured a middle school for grades 5 and 6, including a complete building renovation and new flexible learning commons with a smart lab.
- Brownstown Middle School: Reconfigured for grades 7 and 8 with a full renovation of classrooms and commons spaces, renovation of the existing natatorium and gymnasium, transformation of the media center into a flexible learning commons with a new smart lab, and construction of a new track, baseball, and softball fields.
- Woodhaven High School: Complete building renovation of all classrooms and commons spaces, along with a new career technical education (CTE) wing for welding, woodshop, CAD, and a state-of-the-art dental lab. Construction of a new performing arts addition, competition gymnasium, natatorium, indoor fieldhouse, baseball and softball complex, tennis courts, track, and new turf football field.
- Districtwide: Upgrades to safety, security, technology, furniture, equipment, and parking lots.
A bright future
Work for the 2021 bond is ongoing, with a targeted completion in 2028. Students, staff, families, and community members alike are impressed with the facility upgrades completed so far, even comparing the renovations to a college campus.
The current construction market is challenging to navigate on your own. Want to upgrade your school buildings but don’t know where to start? We can help.
