STRUTHERS SCHOOLS Construction stays in family

Construction officials hope to finish the elementary school by July 2002.
By PAUL WHEATLEY
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
STRUTHERS -- Some school district employees say the Kreidler family built their city.
Now Bill Kreidler, owner of Kreidler Construction Co., is taking that title a step further: He's tearing down a school his father built and replacing it with one of his own.
His father Joseph's company, Joe Kreidler Construction, built Lyon Plat Elementary School in 1929 on property near Ninth Street. His brother, Joseph Jr., president of the current company, also helped with construction.
Kreidler's crew of about 45 workers has the task of tearing that school down, which was accomplished over two weeks this month, and erecting an $11.1 million K-4 Central Elementary School.
And although school officials and members of the Ohio School Facilities Commission think this rare turn of events is interesting, Kreidler doesn't think it merits much attention.
"We do schools all over," he says matter-of-factly.
High school, too: His company was awarded the bid to build the district's new $11.1 million high school and is scheduled to break ground around 10:30 a.m. Monday near the current high school.
"I never tore down anything he built before," said Kreidler. "This is a first for that."
Before demolition, Kreidler scoured Lyon Plat searching for some memorabilia to salvage.
He decided not to take anything.
He didn't even take the first whack at demolishing Lyon Plat. He gave that honor to Superintendent Sandi DiBacco.
"He's kind of a humble guy and he doesn't like fanfare and showiness," said DiBacco. "But he deserves it."
DiBacco said she didn't find out about Kreidler's Lyon Plat history until the first construction meeting.
"He said it was no big deal. I said 'Yes, it is a big deal!'" said DiBacco.
Kreidler expects to have the elementary school finished by July 2002. The high school is slated to open January 2003.
wheatley@vindy.com