Schramberg is fundamentally reconsidering its planned school campus because of sharply rising costs. According to the city council , options were examined at a financial planning meeting in October after the previous estimate had risen substantially. Südwestrundfunk reported on 5 November that the municipal council is approaching a decision in principle, with alternatives such as appointing a general contractor or proceeding in stages under discussion.
The Erhard-Junghans School, which has been operating from temporary premises at two sites for around 15 years, is particularly affected. Headteacher Jörg Hezel told the SWR that the campus was “existentially important”, and criticised the fact that school leaders had not yet been involved early enough in the decisions ahead. The campus was intended to bring together the Erhard-Junghans School, the special-needs education centre Peter-Meyer School and a nursery.
The town administration cites a deteriorating revenue outlook and competing construction priorities as reasons for reassessing the project. The Schramberg Grammar School also urgently needs renovation, according to the administration. The council says that, following a political decision in principle, further planning, consultation and assessment of funding options should continue in a structured way. No specific decisions have yet been made on the construction method, timetable or contract award.
Local media outlets such as NRWZ and Schwarzwälder Bote report consistently that the project’s affordability has been raised repeatedly at committee meetings for months. Options for reducing costs and spreading construction phases over a longer period are reportedly under discussion. The administration points to reports already available on transport, temporary arrangements and space requirements. A proposal for a decision is to be submitted to the council shortly.
The effects of the stalemate are being felt in everyday school life: the separation between sites makes coordination among staff more difficult, lengthens journeys during breaks and places a burden on teachers and pupils. In terms of education policy and legal obligations, the town must weigh protecting its budget against its duty to provide up-to-date school infrastructure.
What happens next depends on the council’s forthcoming decisions and any potential funding commitments. No reliable statements can currently be made about the final design, total costs or firm dates. The only thing that is clear is that, without additional funding or a change in how it is delivered, the school campus project in Rottweil district risks stalling further.
Editor: Phillipe Schmidt-Araguin (Article created with AI assistance).