In a significant shift for Washington Local Schools in Toledo, Ohio, Hiawatha Elementary School is set to close as the district prepares to open the new Whitmer Middle School in August 2026. This decision comes as district leaders address declining enrollment and financial considerations.
The new $80 million Whitmer Middle School will accommodate approximately 1,500 students in grades 6 through 8, consolidating all middle school students in the district under one roof. This transition will move sixth-grade students out of elementary schools, significantly impacting Hiawatha Elementary’s enrollment.
Superintendent Kristie Martin explained that Hiawatha, the district’s smallest elementary school, would have fewer than 200 students after the sixth graders transition to the new middle school. “When we’re moving sixth grade out for the new middle school, we’d have about 200 kids or less, and so it’s just not fiscally responsible to taxpayers to keep a building running with such a small number,” Martin stated.
Students from Hiawatha will be reassigned to two neighboring elementary schools that have the capacity to absorb the additional enrollment. While Hiawatha Elementary will close, the building itself will remain in use. The district plans to convert it into a preschool center through a partnership with the Educational Service Center.
The preschool program, which currently serves about 100 students, is expected to expand significantly in the larger space, potentially doubling enrollment. “It’s going to be perfect for preschool,” Martin said, highlighting the benefits of increased access to early childhood education for local families.
The transition will involve minor modifications to the Hiawatha building, including the addition of preschool furniture, playground equipment, and updated signage. The Educational Service Center will continue to employ preschool staff, while the district will maintain the building and cover utility costs through a lease agreement.
Meanwhile, the new Whitmer Middle School, a project in development for four years, will feature modern classrooms, flexible seating, updated technology, and enhanced security systems. The project was funded in partnership with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, with local taxpayers contributing approximately 20% of the cost.
District officials emphasize that the closure of Hiawatha Elementary, while marking the end of a neighborhood school, will better utilize resources and continue to serve families through expanded preschool programming. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for Whitmer Middle School is planned for early August, ahead of its opening for the 2026-27 school year.
Original reporting: WTOL Toledo — read the source article.
