Administrators to move to old library

The superintendent expects the work to be done before December.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NORTH LIMA -- The South Range School District is preparing to move its administration offices to the old North Lima public library building sometime this fall.
The school district is accepting bids to renovate the site, a former branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. The district paid $235,000 for the building last year and has been using it for storage and various activities.
Earlier this week, Dennis Dunham, schools superintendent, said that once renovated, the site will serve as a new Student and Community Service Center. But first, electrical, drywall and finishing work must be completed. He said the cost of the project could exceed $25,000. Any district project that costs more than $25,000 must be put out for bid, he explained.
One stop shop
The building is near the high school, and school property surrounds much of it. The new center will house offices for the superintendent, treasurer, special education coordinator and the building and grounds supervisor, bringing the district's top administration offices under one roof and closer to the high school and elementary school.
Dunham said he expects the work will be completed by October or November.
Meanwhile, administrators are preparing to make the move from their offices on South Avenue. For the past several years, the district has been renting space there for offices used by the superintendent and treasurer, paying about $16,000 a year, plus the cost of utilities.
"[The move] makes sense," Dunham said. "We'll all be under one roof, and it will make it a lot easier to communicate with one another. And it will save the district money in the long run."