Inside Clayton
S P E C I A L E D I T I O N :
Planning a Future as
Strong as Our Past
Dear Clayton Community,
For nearly 150 years, our reputation has been strengthened by
the partnership of engaged residents, outstanding students
and the dedicated teachers and staff who uphold Clayton’s
long-standing tradition of excellence. I am proud to help
carry this legacy forward, and to work alongside our Board
of Education as we take the steps necessary to meet—and
exceed—the high expectations our community holds for
its schools.
While the learning taking place in our classrooms and on our
athletic fields rivals that of top-tier schools across the nation,
many of our facilities are lagging behind. To ensure Clayton
remains a premier destination District for generations to come,
we are exploring strategic facility investments to enhance safety,
address aging infrastructure and create modern, future-focused
learning environments. While next steps
for modernization remain undecided, we
want to make three points clear:
1
The District is considering a zero
tax rate increase bond issue to
fund facility improvements.
2
In order to maintain stable taxes and ensure our
facilities remain strong for future generations, the
District is implementing a phased approach that
prioritizes the most critical projects.
3
The plan preserves our school buildings’ historic
facades and focuses athletic upgrades on existing
fields and facilities.
These decisions follow extensive evaluation of multiple options
and their associated costs, as well as thoughtful engagement
with students, staff, parents and patrons to understand what
matters most to them. You can read more about the potential
projects under consideration in this mailer and on our website.
We appreciate the many voices that have helped shape our plan,
and we believe that together as a community, we can ensure
that the future of our schools is as strong as our past. Thank you
for your continued engagement, and please feel free to reach
out with any questions.
Sincerely,
Nisha Patel, Ed.D.
Superintendent
School District of Clayton
The District’s three elementary
schools each face their own
challenges in supporting student
learning. While modernizing
these schools is a clear priority,
the District also recognizes that not everything can be done at once.
That is why plans call for the projects to be completed in phases.
Phase 1 focuses on Glenridge Elementary, the District’s oldest school,
which has served the community for nearly a century. Phase 2 will shift
attention to Meramec Elementary, followed by Captain Elementary
in Phase 3. This phased, fiscally responsible approach is designed
to provide each school with the improvements it deserves, while
supporting students, families and staff throughout the process.
Phase 1: Renovate Glenridge Elementary to create a modern
environment that supports student learning.
Understanding the Needs: At Glenridge, persistent moisture and
air-quality issues, aging plumbing and electrical systems, and
accessibility constraints are increasingly affecting daily operations and
the learning experience for students and staff.
Exploring the Plans: Proposed renovations would address critical
infrastructure challenges while preserving the school’s historic
exterior. Inside, learning spaces would be modernized to better
support students, with updates such as a new storm shelter to enhance
safety and redesigned classrooms that improve
accessibility, encourage collaboration and foster
creativity. Should renovations move forward,
the District is working closely with the City of
Clayton to identify a temporary instructional
location to keep learning on track and
minimize disruption during construction.
P R I O R I T Y 1
M O D E R N I Z I N G
E L E M E N T A R Y S C H O O L S
Enhance Academic Areas
To elevate learning opportunities and prepare
students for future-ready careers.
Understanding the Needs: Ranked among the best in
the nation, Clayton High School is known for innovative,
student-centered instruction. However, CHS is beginning
to fall behind other districts that have already made
significant investments in career and technical education
(CTE). These programs provide students with real-world,
hands-on learning opportunities that enable them to explore, create
and lead while developing the skills and competencies central to the
Profile of a Clayton Graduate.
Exploring the Plans: The District is considering constructing a new
STEM learning lab— a modern, flexible space connected to the back of
the building near Adzick Field. This addition would allow CHS to expand
career-connected courses such as Algebra I in Manufacturing Processes,
Entrepreneurship and Design (AMPED on Algebra), which integrates
mathematical concepts with real business applications, and Geometry
in Construction, where students apply math through hands-on projects
like building a tiny house.
The area would also include a fully equipped lab where students
can work with industry-standard engineering tools to build and test
real-world projects. Much like the theatre serves as a hub for the
performing arts, this academic area would support students from across
the District and provide opportunities to explore STEM, collaborate on
design-and-build projects and prepare for robotics
competitions.
To improve accessibility and better support learning,
additional funds would be directed to the auditorium.
Planned updates include refreshed seating and flooring
and renovated restrooms. The music classrooms
behind the auditorium would also receive HVAC
upgrades to resolve ongoing noise and vibration
issues.
P R I O R I T Y 2
C L AY T O N
H I G H S C H O O L
Upgrade Athletic Facilities
To improve safety, accessibility and
community use.
Understanding the Needs: The District is considering
targeted upgrades to protect the community’s long-standing
investment in its athletic facilities. These improvements are
intended to ensure that these shared spaces continue to
serve students, families and residents for years to come.
Exploring the Plans: Since 1930, Gay Field has served as the home
of Greyhound athletics and a central gathering place for the community.
While recent updates—such as resurfacing the track and replacing the
scoreboard—have strengthened the facility, the District is now evaluating
a new phase of improvements to further enhance its comfort, safety and
overall functionality.
A key component of the proposed work
includes replacing the turf, which has
reached a stage of wear that warrants
renewal after many years of use. To improve
the spectator experience, the project
also includes new bleachers, renovated
public restrooms, a modern press box and an upgraded concession
stand. To better support students and staff, the District is exploring
options to modernize team locker rooms and improve training
and coaching spaces. Given the high volume of games, practices and
community events hosted at Gay Field, these improvements have been
prioritized for the significant impact they will have on this
long-standing community resource.
Beyond Gay Field, discussions are focused
on adding team dugouts and constructing
a permanent press box at Adzick Field.
Potential upgrades to Wydown Middle
School’s field aim to support year-round
use through a walking track and shade
structures that protect students during
P.E. and outdoor learning. Although no
decisions have been made, the District
remains committed to maintaining and
enhancing its existing athletic facilities.
P R I O R I T Y 3
A T H L E T I C S
Dollars and Sense
Understanding how districts fund
major building projects.
What is the purpose of a bond
referendum?
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 away from instructional
resources to pay for significant facility
improvements.
When was the last time the
District asked voters to approve
a bond referendum, and what
was the result?
The District’s most recent bond
referendum, Prop W in 2010, provided
$39.4 million to fully renovate Wydown
Middle School. Today, Wydown
is ranked #1 in Missouri by Niche,
and its student-centered learning
spaces continue to meet the needs of
students.
What is the District’s current
debt levy, and what would it be
if the District approved a new
bond referendum?
The current debt
levy is $0.5110 per
$100 of assessed
value. Based on
current financial
assumptions, and
with voter approval, the District could
issue up to $135 million in additional
bonds for facility improvements
without increasing the debt levy.
While the District continues to
explore options and refine facility
plans, it recognizes the importance
of maintaining stable taxes and is
committed to phasing projects to
ensure updates are high-quality and
deliver lasting value.
What happens if the Board
decides not to pursue a bond
referendum?
The District’s current residential tax
rate will remain steady through 2029
due to ongoing payments of interest
and principal on existing bond debt.
How could new state policies
impact District funding?
The District is monitoring the Senior
Property Tax Freeze program, which
went into 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.
What level of voter support
is needed to pass a bond
referendum?
If the District were to pursue an
April 2026 bond referendum,
it would require 4/7ths—or
57.14%—voter approval to pass.
Prioritizing What Matters Most
Important facts for our community to know.
How did the District determine
which projects should be
prioritized?
The District worked with leading
architects to develop its Long-Range
Facilities Master Plan. Guided by
community input and detailed
analysis—including site assessments,
enrollment projections and a
comprehensive feasibility study—the
plan includes projects that align with
community values, enhance student
learning and are fiscally responsible.
How have neighboring districts
invested in their schools, and
how does Clayton compare?
It has been nearly 15 years since
Clayton last asked voters to consider
a bond referendum for facility
improvements. During this time, many
school districts across the region have
made significant investments to ensure
their facilities keep pace with modern
learning needs, safety standards and
community expectations.
Ladue, for example, sought $126
million in 2021 to fund renovations
at all four of its elementary schools.
These funds supported the complete
transformation of Spoede Elementary,
along with substantial upgrades at
Old Bonhomme, Conway and Reed.
Other districts including Brentwood,
Kirkwood, Lindbergh, Parkway,
Rockwood, and Webster Groves
have also passed bond measures
to refresh aging buildings, enhance
safety features and modernize learning
environments to support students now
and in the years ahead.
Who is the District working with
to develop plans to modernize its
schools and athletic facilities?
Perkins & Will, in collaboration with
Paragon Architecture, is leading the
elementary feasibility study and design
work, as well as developing plans
for academic facility improvements
at Clayton High School. BLDD
Architects is overseeing the design
of the District’s athletic facilities and
BSI Constructors is serving as the
Construction Manager at Risk.
What happened to the other
projects that were discussed as
part of the Long-Range Facilities
Master Plan? Will they be
addressed?
The Long Range
Facilities Planning
process identified many
valuable ideas, but
not all projects can be
pursued at once if the
District is to maintain stable taxes for
the community.
To use resources wisely, the District
is prioritizing facilities with the most
urgent needs. Additional projects
remain part of the District’s long-term
vision and will be revisited as new
funding opportunities become
available.
From Tradition to Tomorrow
The District has worked closely with community members
to develop a Long-Range Facilities Master Plan to
guide future investments in Clayton’s schools and athletic
facilities. This plan highlights essential safety upgrades,
improvements to support student learning and areas
where aging buildings need attention to maintain
Clayton’s tradition of excellence.
While no decisions have been made, the Board of
Education is considering a zero tax rate increase bond
referendum to address these priorities. Take a look
inside to learn more about the needs, possibilities and
planning underway.
Questions? Connect with Us!
@ClaytonSchoolDistrict
@ClaytonSchools
314.854.6000
The School District of Clayton
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Clayton, MO 63105
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