YOUNGSTOWN East Side's revival linked to new schools

The current East Middle School was built in 1925.
By JoANNE VIVIANO
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A new East Middle School will be one of three new or renovated schools on the East Side that could lead to a revival in that side of the city, a local architect said.
"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be involved in changing the educational environment of the Youngstown City Schools," said Terry McCoy, senior vice president and principal with the Hanahan Strollo & amp; Associates Inc. architects. "It's a unique thing to build a new building, especially on the East Side."
McCoy said East Middle School, to be built facing Bryn Mawr Avenue, will be adjacent to North Elementary School, facing Mariner Avenue. North will receive renovations and additions.
Plans also include a new East High School, at Parker Street and Bennington Avenue.
McCoy said the three schools will offer a "strong nucleus" and "outstanding educational opportunities" on the East Side to attract other development, especially in the area of McKelvey Lake.
Tax increase
The new and renovated schools are part of the school district's $182.5 million facilities improvement project. Voters approved a 4.4-mill tax issue to provide the $33.2 million local project share. The state School Facilities Commission will pay the rest. In addition to the three schools on the East side, three other new elementary schools will be built, and a total of 10 buildings will receive renovations throughout the city.
A key highlight of the new middle school is its media center and library, McCoy said. The center will add to the appearance of the school, offer computer labs and be placed so it can be used by the community.
Blueprints
Tony DeNiro Jr., executive director of school business affairs, said plans are to open the 102,000-square-foot school in fall 2005. It will accommodate 750 pupils in fifth through eighth grades.
DeNiro said the land that North Elementary occupies and where the new school will be built measures 29 acres. It was acquired through a partnership with the city.
Other features of the new middle school are a gymnasium that seats 700 and cafetorium with seating for 350.
Specialty rooms will include a home arts area, an art lab, modular technology labs and separate music areas for choral and instrumental groups.
Special education rooms will be smaller, 600 square feet, compared with the 900-square-foot regular classroom, McCoy said. The smaller rooms will hold up to 12 pupils and offer an environment more conducive to one-on-one work with educators.
DeNiro said a wooded area will provide a buffer between the middle school and North Elementary. A track and football field, both already there, will be shared by the two schools.
The current East Middle School, on East High Avenue, was built in 1925 as a high school. It is oversize and would have cost nearly as much to renovate as rebuild, DeNiro said. It is being torn down to make way for the new East High School.
"I think the morale will go up," DeNiro said. "This building is going to be brighter, more cheery."