Norwalk Schools unveil PK-8 project team

NORWALK — Norwalk Schools formally introduced the design, planning and construction team behind its new pre-kindergarten-through-eighth-grade building during a presentation on Oct. 7. Voters approved a levy to fund the project in November 2024, which represents one of the largest capital improvements in district history. The new PK-8 facility is estimated to cost about $100 million and will replace several aging elementary and middle school buildings and is scheduled to open in fall 2029. District officials hosted a presentation and provided the following details on the scope, planning process and more facets of the project: Design and planning team The Columbus-based Westfield Consulting Group, founded in 1993 and ranked among the top 50 K-12 design firms in the United States, according to Norwalk City Schools Superintendent Brad Cooley, will lead the visioning and architectural planning process. They will act as the lead architecture and planning firm. They guide the district through "educational visioning," which means helping staff and the community define what kind of learning environment they want before any blueprints are drawn. They create the building's overall design, floor plan and site layout, coordinating all architectural, structural, and interior systems, according to their presentation during the meeting. Good school design isn't just about walls and windows — it affects how teachers teach, how students learn, and how the community uses the building, according to Cooley. Westfield's experience with future-ready schools ensures that Norwalk's new PK-8 facility will be flexible, sustainable, and aligned with modern education needs. The firm has previously completed projects in Shelby, Celina, Elida, and other districts across Ohio. Construction management team The district selected C.T. Taylor Construction, a firm with more than 45 years of experience and a long record of Ohio Facilities Construction Commission projects, to oversee construction. C.T. Taylor oversees the day-to-day work once the project moves from drawings to dirt. They coordinate subcontractors, manage budgets, track schedules, and ensure every phase of construction meets safety, quality and state compliance standards. Construction management keeps multimillion-dollar projects on time and within budget. C.T. Taylor's involvement also gives the district a single point of accountability for construction, safety, and quality assurance from groundbreaking through completion, according to the presentation. The company plans to attract a minimum of three qualified subcontractors per trade and maintain what it calls a "Good Neighbor Policy," emphasizing community communication, safety, and environmental responsibility throughout construction, according to Dan Nichols. Commissioning oversight A Dayton-based commissioning agent — certified by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission since 2005 — will provide quality assurance and testing during construction, ensuring systems such as HVAC, electrical and plumbing perform as intended. Their stated goal: "Make it work, eliminate hidden defects, and minimize operational costs." The commissioning agent is an independent specialist who tests and verifies that the building's mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems work as designed. They perform inspections, run diagnostics, and confirm performance before the school opens, according to the presentation. This layer of oversight prevents hidden problems—like faulty air systems or wiring—from surfacing after students move in. Commissioning saves long-term maintenance costs and ensures the building operates efficiently and safely. What's next? According to district officials and the presentation timeline, schematic design milestones will be completed this November, with site work expected to begin by late summer 2026, weather permitting. The new PK-8 building, funded through local and state partnerships, is scheduled to open its doors to students in fall 2029, marking the culmination of years of planning and public support.