Board to meet about Harding school façade

A decision on the façade is needed by Feb. 19.

By TIM YOVICH

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

WARREN — The board of education wants more financial information and public input before making a decision on what to do with the façade of Warren G. Harding High School.

Meeting in special session Monday, the board scheduled a work session for 5 p.m. Thursday to hear from a representative of Fanning & Howey, a Dublin architectural firm that designed the new high school, and William Sherman, project manager.

The meeting will be at the YWCA on Park Avenue.

In 2003, voters approved a 6.984-mill bond issue to construct new schools, including a high school, and a $1 million bond issue to preserve historic elements of the old school.

Superintendent Dr. Kathryn Hellweg said a decision must be made by Feb. 19 if the new building that is adjacent to Harding is to open in the fall as scheduled.

Hellweg explained that most of Harding, at Elm Road and Atlantic Street, needs to be razed so there is access to the new building when it opens.

One of the difficulties in making a decision is that the board doesn’t know the costs involved.

During its Jan. 29 meeting, board members voted 3-2 not to rescind a 2005 board resolution to preserve the old building and to establish a committee to make recommendations to the board on the façade’s fate.

The board already had agreed to demolish the auditorium and wings.

Some board members Monday, however, spoke against forming a committee to make recommendations about the façade. Rather, they want a group with varied backgrounds appointed to look at long-range preservation issues of what to save from all the schools that will be replaced.

Board president Robert Faulkner Sr. said members of a committee designated to focus only on Harding may have the same opinion about the future of the façade and not look at other options.

He also said naming a committee may delay a decision.

Board members Shari Harrell and Patricia Limperos agreed with Faulkner.

Harrell said a committee with mixed feelings would be difficult to assemble. She noted that the community is split on the issue, and the board will have to “bite the bullet.”

Board member Edward Bolino explained that he believes a committee could best focus on the Harding issue by hearing from the general public.

Hellweg said after meeting with the district leadership team, architect and project manager, there are a number of possibilities.

They include having more public involvement and keeping the work on track with a board decision by Feb. 19. Another is a board-appointed committee giving its decision to the board by Feb. 19.

Another option would limit demolition of Harding and make a decision on the remainder by March. Also, the board could agree to take the façade down in pieces and store it until a decision is made on its fate.

yovich@vindy.com