Board awaits OK for project

The building could be
completed in one phase at
a cost of $38.3 million.

By VIRGINIA ROSS

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

NORTH LIMA— South Range Board of Education is sending a report with final plans for the district’s proposed new building project to the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission.

The school board discussed the report, which addresses various options including floor plans and classroom sizes, during a recent meeting.

If the state approves the report, the school district can move forward with its plans to build a new K-12 building along state Route 46 and Green Beaver Road in Beaver Township. The 60 acres, owned by the school board, is the site of the Green Beaver baseball complex.

Schools Superintendent Dennis Dunham said plans call for the building to feature three separate areas for the high school, junior high and elementary schools and several common areas such as an auditorium and cafeteria.

At a recent Beaver Township trustees meeting Dunham encouraged residents to participate in planning efforts. He said residents may also offer their opinions and voice their concerns about the project.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done and a lot of thought and consideration needed for different areas of the project,” he said. “We are open to residents’ views and any input we receive.”

Committees made up of district residents, staff, administrators and business owners have been meeting for the past several months to discuss building and site plans.

Initially the state informed the district to expect funding for the project in 2009 or 2010, so plans were made to finish the project building in two phases — with local funds paying for the first phase and state funds paying for the second phase.

But in late November the commission gave its OK for the school district to receive the state funding sooner than originally expected, meaning the building could be completed in one phase at a cost of $38.3 million.

Dunham said construction may begin late next summer or early fall, with occupancy planned for 2010.

In May, district voters approved a 28-year bond issue to cover the local share of $18.3 million, or 48 percent. The state’s share is nearly $20 million, or 52 percent.

The school board has also moved forward with establishing a bank account to be used for the building project. Money generated from the bond issue is to be deposited into that account.