Architects urge Brookfield voters to pass bond issue

Architects contend building on the current school site would cost the same as a new site.

By LAURE CIOFFI

VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU

BROOKFIELD — A group of residents has offered an alternative to the plans for a new school building in Brookfield.

About 60 residents gathered Monday night at the Brookfield Township administration building to hear from architects hired by The Residents United Seeking Truth, a community group formed by Don and Rosemary Tice and Linda Blackson.

Architects Ray Jaminet and John DeFrance of the Youngstown firm of Olsavsky and Jaminet told residents a new, consolidated kindergarten through 12th grade building could be placed on school property between the high school and middle school at Bedford Road and Grove Street.

The school board is currently considering construction on a new 41-acre site on Bedford Road across from Tiffany’s Banquet Center. The district expects to pay $650,000 for the parcel.

Jaminet and LaFrance said construction costs on the current school site would be the same as construction costs at the new site, minus the $650,000 land costs.

Jaminet has proposed a three-wing, two-story building. The architects said the district will have plenty of room for playing fields after it demolishes the current school buildings.

The school board plans call for a one-floor building.

Regardless of the plan chosen, Jaminet and LaFrance urged voters to approve the 7.4-mill bond issue on the Nov. 6 ballot. The bond issue would raise the district’s share of about $11 million of the proposed $31 million project.

The 28-year bond would cost an owner of a $50,000 home about $113 a year.

The 7.4 mills include 1.6 mills for local funded issues, which include purchases made by the district that are not covered by OSFC funding.

Tice is co-chairman of the new schools committee, a group promoting the passage of the levy.

cioffi@vindy.com