BOARDMAN School will add 2 rooms

The addition should be completed by fall.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Parents' concerns over safety issues involving the use of portable classrooms at one township elementary school should be put to rest with a building addition.
George Donie, director of business for the district, said the school board is accepting bids for construction of two classrooms at Robinwood Lane Elementary School until noon Monday.
Because of a large number of pupils enrolled at the school, officials have been forced to use "detached classrooms" to house some classes. The school has kindergarten through fourth grade. There are four classes taught in the two double-wide trailers, one of them a kindergarten class.
Issues for parents: In a January survey conducted by the school's continuing improvement team, parents indicated that safety and security are the main issues. The survey showed that the next-biggest area of concern is overcrowding.
Parents expressed concern over kindergarten-age children walking back and forth between the buildings alone at various times to use the restroom or for other activities.
Donie said a chain-link fence has been placed around the building where the portable classrooms are for added safety. The gate can only be opened from inside.
Now officials are looking to move forward with a $250,000 addition of two classrooms, one a computer lab and the other a regular classroom.
Construction will take place during summer vacation and should be completed by the start of classes in the fall.
Donie said the goal is to get all pupils in the main building and abolish portable classrooms. School officials are waiting to see the fall enrollment numbers before deciding.
He said if enrollment is still high, officials will likely look at adding more classrooms onto the main building next school year.
jgoodwin@vindy.com