WARREN SCHOOLS Board calls meeting to discuss bond issue

Some new school features may not be covered by the state commission.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- School board members are to decide later this week what locally funded items will be included as part of a bond issue for new schools on the November ballot.
Board members set 9 p.m. Thursday for a special meeting to decide the issues. The meeting will be in the board meeting room of the administration building.
The school district learned earlier this year that it will receive funding from the Ohio School Facilities Commission this year to build new schools. The project is estimated at $168 million, with the state paying 81 percent of the bill. The remainder will have to come from local sources, or a bond issue on the November ballot.
The plan is for five new kindergarten-through-eighth-grade buildings and a new high school, although some board members want to retain a portion of Warren G. Harding High School to preserve history. The 13 elementary, three middle schools and Harding would likely be demolished.
Aug. 21 marks the deadline to place issues on the November ballot. Lynn Gibson, school board president, said at a board meeting Tuesday that the board's attorney wants information regarding what's included in the bond issue submitted to him by next week.
Items of discussion
Among the items to be decided is whether to retain a portion of the 1924 high school. OSFC provides funding for renovation and expansion of school buildings up to 100 percent of the cost of new construction. If renovation would cost more than the cost of constructing a new building, the remainder must be funded with local money.
Other features not covered by OSFC funds are swimming pools, fixed-seat auditoriums, sports stadiums, tracks and fields. If the board opts to include any of those items in the new school buildings, local money will have to pay for them.
denise.dick@vindy.com