BOARDMAN SCHOOLS Officials launch search for architect

The district's oldest school was built in 1911, the high school in the late 1960s.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- School district officials know their buildings need updates, but they need an architect on board to determine what it will cost.
The district has advertised for qualified professional design services for design and construction, additions, remodeling, renovation, rehabilitation, equipping and improving all of the buildings and facilities.
"We're taking a look at all of our facilities," said James Massey, director of operations for the district.
The deadline is Dec. 29 and the total budget according to the ad is $35 million, but Massey called that figure a "guestimate."
"We need to have an architect on board in order to get an accurate dollar amount for some of our needs," he said.
Administrators have been meeting with parents and teachers in each of the seven school buildings to get input on ways they think the buildings may be improved.
Boardman Center Middle School near Market Street and U.S. Route 224, built in 1911, is the district's oldest building. It underwent several renovations over the years. The newest building is the 37-year-old high school.
Top priorities
Some of the needs that administrators have pointed out are an auxiliary gymnasium at the high school, renovation of the football stadium, fixing basement water problems at Market Street and West Boulevard elementary schools and adding classrooms at the middle and elementary schools.
"All of our elementary schools were built in the 1950s," Massey said.
Other items include new boilers and roofs at some buildings, and security systems.
After an architect determines the amount, the school board will be able to determine how to pursue that funding.
Unlike some neighboring school districts, Boardman doesn't qualify for new school buildings funded mostly by the Ohio School Facilities Commission.
That eligibility is based on a district's property valuation.
Massey said that the last time the district sought a bond issue was in the late 1960s.
After receiving the interest from professional design service firms, district officials will review them and possibly pick those they want to interview before deciding who to hire.
"I would like to have someone on board by mid-January," he said. "But that's me personally."