Board considers building high school

Focus groups will be formed to discuss what's needed in a new school.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HOWLAND -- The Ohio School Facilities Commission has agreed to conduct a study of district school buildings to determine the cost of new construction.
Although the district doesn't qualify for state construction funds through the commission, the study will give the district the data it needs to determine the millage required to build a new high school.
Meeting in special session Monday, the board was told by Superintendent John Rubesich that the building assessment will be conducted by Guandel Group Inc. of Westerville, Ohio. Rubesich noted the effort should take about three months to complete.
A similar study was done in 2002 in which the board was told by the commission that it would cost about 21 million to renovate the high school and 26 million to build a new one. Rubesich and Ronald J. Mayher of Business Research Services Inc. of Cleveland said that the cost has risen to the 30 million range.
Levy planned
The board is looking to place a levy on the November 2008 ballot to fund construction.
A telephone survey conducted by Business Research earlier this year found that 60 percent of those surveyed favor new construction while 32 percent believe current buildings should be maintained.
"I feel confident that the community backs the [school] board," said board member Barbara Wright.
Mayher said focus groups will be formed to determine what will be included in the new high school. The groups of about 12 residents each will discuss if the building should include features such as a swimming pool, auditorium, athletic fields or community center.
There will be about five discussion groups that Mayher will direct, he said. The data from the commission study and focus groups will be the basis of information that can be presented to voters.
The site of the new building hasn't been determined, although there has been some discussion of building it at the site of the former central school building at East Market Street and Willow Drive where the township gazebo is located.
If the board decides to build on the site of the former school, Rubesich said, the district might have to purchased some houses along Willow. The current high school would be razed.
Since there isn't much open land in the district, school officials might have to purchase some of what's available. One tract mentioned is the Avalon South Golf Course owned by the city of Warren. Rubesich said he will open a dialogue with Warren Mayor Michael J. O'Brien about it.
yovich@vindy.com