GLHS Opening Timeline Update

We are excited to welcome our students to the new Gahanna Lincoln High School in the 2025-26 school year! It is awe-inspiring to see the building really taking shape and we look forward to watching the progress as the school continues to grow.

We are at the point in construction where all pieces of the project have been bid out and are scheduled, so we are in a better position to plan for a date during the 2025-26 school year for our new school to open to students. While our initial goal of an August 2025 opening was aggressive, challenges have caused a delay in opening until students return from the 2025-26 winter break. While it is disappointing to adjust our timeline, we are fortunate that as a District, we have a logical break in the schedule so we can transition to the new building instead of waiting until the following summer to do so.

A few noteworthy setbacks have caused us to delay until a January 2026 opening:

• Completing a thorough value engineering process during the summer of 2022 to address the inflationary rise in construction led to a redesign process that slowed the start of construction.

• During the beginning stages of prep work for structural steel, we discovered an underground body of water, which required additional work and time. The running water beneath the site required the installation of 1,917 concrete stabilizing geopiers that added months of time in order to create a solid foundation for the building. Our partners, particularly our steel frame team, worked through the winter months to get pace back on the project. 

• Modifications to the structural steel design needed to be made as a result of the underground water.

Be assured that this delay is not due to finances. Our financial picture for the high school remains on track. With appreciation for our voters, we have the money and a strong contingency fund to complete our incredible new high school. The work by the construction team is tied to the project's total completion, not how long they are on the job site. Money flow is not the cause for delay.

While the timeline has shifted, our commitment to delivering a new Gahanna Lincoln High School that will become a source of pride for our community remains constant. We are excited to watch the building continue to grow and look forward to welcoming all our GLHS students to their new home during the 2025-26 school year.

Check out a video update with Principal Williams and Chief Operating Officer Mr. Hetzel