School Social Work and Sports Field Renovations: Tübingen Invests in Education and Infrastructure

School Social Work: More Staff for Increasing Demands

School social work in Tübingen has proven to be an indispensable part of the educational landscape in recent years. In February 2026, the city presented a comprehensive report on the current staffing situation and the future allocation of positions. According to the latest information, municipal schools have a total of 19.71 full-time equivalents (FTEs) in school social work, distributed across primary schools (9.34 FTEs) and secondary schools (10.37 FTEs).

The new staffing model takes into account not only class sizes but also the number of classes, the number of integration contracts (IVK), junior classes, the social index, and utilization rates. The calculation for secondary schools uses specific factors that consider school development and structure—especially for comprehensive schools, where IVK classes are weighted with a factor of 4.0.

The implementation of the new model will happen gradually through personnel turnover to allow for smooth transitions. Tübingen is above average in staffing compared to the state average—yet this success faces the challenge of addressing increasing psychological stress and behavioral issues among students.

Artificial Turf Fields: Prioritization and Funding

Alongside educational policy, sports infrastructure was also in focus. An external expert report assessed the condition of 12 artificial turf fields in Tübingen and established priorities for renovations. The most urgent measures concern the small playing field of TSG Tübingen (2026), the field of TSV Lustnau (2026), and that of SV Pfrondorf (2027).

Funding is based on a newly developed model, in which the city covers 75% of the costs after the club contributes 25% and approximately 30% is provided as a grant by the WLSB. The renovation costs for TSV Lustnau amount to 135,000 €, and those for the small field of TSG Tübingen to 46,500 €. These funds have already been allocated in the 2026 budget.

In addition, youth and children's funding has been increased to help clubs build reserves. Further artificial turf fields are being evaluated for possible repairs and maintenance measures to defer renovations as long as the condition remains acceptable.

Defibrillators: Saving Lives Through Better Accessibility

Another project discussed at the beginning of February concerns the expansion of defibrillator availability in public spaces. In cooperation with "Region der Lebensretter," the city of Tübingen plans to move existing devices from indoor to outdoor locations and establish new ones. The plan includes 12 existing devices, 7 new devices, and 5 donated devices. A one-time investment of approximately 43,400 € will be made, and annual operating costs amount to approximately 7,200 €.

Outlook: Stability and Progress

Tübingen is therefore moving along a path that systematically strengthens both the psychosocial development of the younger generation and the sports infrastructure. With the new staffing calculation for school social work, a sustainable model is being created that is data-based and flexible. At the same time, the prioritization of sports field renovations shows that the city is ready to clearly define investments and set priorities.

In the coming months, the focus will be on the concrete implementation of the new models and coordination with the affected clubs and schools. In 2027, the renovation of the artificial turf of SV Pfrondorf is also planned, provided the budget situation allows it.