May 25th 2005

Central Local to propose new School

 Central Local Board of Education will propose to the Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC) building a new school on a site not yet determined of the present school complex.

    In building new, they will retain a portion of the present building containing the gyms and locker rooms for use by the school as a public facility. There are a few changes however needed to be made to the Master Plan for the new school, and delays may result if the proposal is not accepted by the state in time to meet the May 27 deadline.

    The determining factor in the selection was the cost to the taxpayers. The difference between the highest cost option and the lowest cost option is less than 1 mill, or less than $35 per year on a $100,000 house according to Mr. Beilharz. It was also noted regardless of what option was chosen, it would be necessary to completely demolish the north wall of the junior high building with a major construction cost and disruption to education. As with the new elementary building, a plan of expansion is built in, should enrollment increase within the expected life of the building (50 years).

    The option to build new will require a 3.06 millage increase for 28 years to raise the local share of the cost estimated at $4,815,597 while the state contributes $13,705,930 or 76 percent.

    The cost of the option to keep the existing gyms and shops as well as the middle school portion of the building constructed in 1976 would be 2.19 mills to raise $3,440,367 while the state contributes $9;791,814. This option would require the rental of 32 modular units at a total cost of $926,000 for 24 months to maintain an uninterrupted academic schedule, or the rental of 16 modular units if each section of the building is completed separately. Separate schedules would require the contractors be on-site longer at more cost. While this cost is included in the total, it is money that does not add to value and facilities.

    The third option was to keep a core area that includes keeping the gyms, locker rooms, shop, boiler rooms and band rooms at a millage of 2.73 to raise $4,296,231 locally, while the state share would be $12,227,734. This option, also, would require the use of rented modules. A large consideration on this option was the air conditioner, now nearly 30 years old which is only budgeted for new controls. Mr. Beilharz did not recommend keeping the old air conditioning system.

    Mr. Beilharz will be submitting to the state the option to build new with an amended master plan on Monday, May 23. A quick approval would continue to keep Central Local Schools on schedule. Regardless, the board has scheduled a third board meeting this month prior to the graduation exercises, on May 29 at 1p.m. in the Darrell Jones Library in the Fairview Junior High. The purpose of this meeting will be to pass a District Resolution of Participation in the Classroom Facility Assistance Program to hold the offer for funding open.

    Little consideration was given to doing nothing. The emergency repairs done last summer to the building is an indicator of the need. Board member Roger Zeedyk commented it would not be prudent use of the taxpayers money to put them at risk of needing to pay 100 percent of the cost of repairs a few years down the line. OSFC makes no promises how long they can continue to make money available to rebuild Ohio's schools. It was noted final costs and state monies are still dependent on the finalized enrollment figures. These figures were based on an enrollment of 587 students.