Future of the Wismar District Music School: Container solution causes trouble!

Future of the Wismar District Music School: Container solution causes trouble!

In Wismar, the future of the “Carl Orff” district music school is in jeopardy. At the district council meeting on October 10, 2025 in the armory, it was decided that the school would have to temporarily move into containers. This solution was announced after a demonstration in the courtyard of the armory, which raised the concerns of parents and students. Loud NDR The containers should be ready by the 2027/28 school year and the estimated costs are three million euros.

The 120-year-old school building on the gymnasium is currently in serious need of renovation. A report by Mayor Thomas Beyer at a town hall meeting pointed out that the renovation requirements, in particular the necessary roof renovation, are urgent. The total cost of the renovation is estimated at around twelve million euros, and renovation could require three to four years during which the building cannot be used. The future remains uncertain until the user agreement expires in August 2027 Northern Courier reports that the city has so far tried unsuccessfully to obtain funding for the renovation.

Parents' council expresses concerns

The measures decided during the meeting were met with great disappointment among parents. The parents' council sees the container solution as unreasonable because over 500 students needed a central location to make music. They have already started a petition to draw attention to the grievances. The cost of overtime for district music school employees could be around 240,000 euros by the end of the year, with administration suggesting four full-time equivalents as a compromise, even though six would be necessary. This situation raises questions about the financial and structural future of the district music school.

District council president Thomas Grote confirmed the existing need for the district music school and emphasized that there are close contacts with the Hanseatic city of Wismar. District Administrator Tino Schomann was commissioned to examine new locations for the music school and to develop proposals. The current location may therefore not be a long-term solution. Decisions about investments or alternative locations should be made as part of the district council consultations on the new budget.

There remains a big question mark about the future direction of the “Carl Orff” district music school. Those responsible are called upon to find a quick and sustainable solution so that students and teachers do not fall behind. By the way: Music is an important part of cultural education - something has to happen here, and soon!