New Middle School Site to be Chosen Soon
District is also bringing on architect to help guide plans for project
Photos
A task force that developed a $145 million plan to improve and replace Strongsville's school buildings is expected to recommend a site for a new middle school within the next two or three weeks.
Ken Evans, a Facilities Committee member, said Thursday that the task force is now studying the best location for a proposed new middle school and will have a recommendation "hopefully by the end of June, beginning of July."
The site originally proposed -- a 17-acre school-owned parcel next to Strongsville High School-- may be too small, officials have said.
Other possibilities include the sites of the current Center or Albion schools.
Feedback from residents has indicated voters won't consider an $81 million bond issue on the November ballot unless they know all the details of the plan.
The school board, which voted 5-0 Thursday night to place the issue before voters, said the details will be made public well in advance of the election.
Other Questions
Evans said he has also heard questions from residents about replacing schools rather than fixing the existing buildings.
The two-phased plan calls for the district to build a new middle school and make wide-ranging improvements at the high school over the next few years.
In Phase 2, the district would return to voters with another bond issue to tackle issues at the elementary schools. The task force's suggestion is to build three new elementary schools and renovate Muraski and Kinsner.
At Thursday's School Board meeting, Evans said the cost of building a new middle school is $41 million, while repair estimates for the existing two middle schools total $26.5 million.
Repairs at the elementary schools total $35 million, while the plan to build new ones would cost $42.8 million.
Evans said the committee felt it would be wiser in the long run to invest the extra money now in new buildings than put a "band-aid" on structures that are decades old.
In addition, officials believe combining the two middle schools into one will save operating costs.
Bringing in a Pro
Business Manager Mark Donnelly said the district is in the process of bringing on an architect who will help guide the planning of the new middle school.
He said 11 firms responded to the district's request for proposals, and he has narrowed the field to four.
One firm will come in for an interview July 9, and the other three will be interviewed July 10.
"We're trying to get somebody on board quickly," Donnelly said.
School officials have said they intend to bring on professionals who agree to work on a contingency basis, knowing their payment depends on voter approval of the $81 million bond issue in the fall.
In This article
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Strongsville High School
20025 Lunn Rd, Strongsville, OH -
Center Middle School
13200 Pearl Rd, Strongsville, OH -
Albion Middle School
11109 Webster Rd, Strongsville, OH -
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Muraski Elementary School
20270 Royalton Rd, Strongsville, OH
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Kinsner Elementary School
19091 Waterford Pkwy, Strongsville, OH
lyn
9:23 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
"the cost of building a new middle school is $41 million, while repair estimates for the existing two middle schools total $26.5 million."
That's $15 million difference - a significant amount. If they were to spend this $26 million wisely, and decide to finally properly maintain the properties once renovations are done - I think this has possibilities. I know people like shiny, bright new things. I like older, historical buildings that are saved.
And, when I hear that extensive renos are needed at a school that is only 10 years old (Kinsner), that tells me that no matter if you renovate the existing buildings or build new ones, they are always going to be needing updates - at least thats what they are telling us about Kinsner. You can't have it both ways. Either buildings are constantly in need of updating, regardless of age, or not.
So, I'd like to see the existing schools repaired PROPERLY this time, given a nice facelift, and how about maintaining them? (And, that is not directed at the staff who perform the day to day functions - directed at those overseeing them)
So, I guess a NO vote. Fix the existing ones right, with a nice facelift. But, I'll keep reading to see if other info might influence me differently.
lyn
9:24 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
And, what about expanding Center into just one large middle school - has that been considered?
lyn
10:37 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
If not, it should be a definite consideration.
And, if additional property is need, there is vacant land behind those Pearl Rd properties.
Since renovation is MUCH cheaper, despite the offhanded way they say its just a few million more, and if they want to combine 2 schools - its worth considering.
This location is centrally located.
The parcel by the high school seems to present many problems - 5 of 17 acres is wetlands, more space is probably needed, and I don't think middle school facilities (school, field,...) should then be split up to cram the just the new school in there; and what happens if expansion is needed in the future - where would they be able to expand?
And, if the entrance to the new school would be off Pearl near the Post Office - no way!
PJ
10:23 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
I cannot think of another public body that would be so cavalier as to refer to the difference between 26.5 million and 41 million as "a few."
lyn
10:29 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
I am also troubled by the statement that its a "few million extra dollars". I guess if its not their own money, then they are simply cavalier and irresponsible with taxpayer dollars.
Debbie Palmer
11:32 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
To clarify, "a few million" wasn't a quote from a school official. It was my wording. And you're right, it does sound cavalier, but it was my mistake, so I changed it. :)
lyn
1:22 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Where did they get the $41 million figure from, the amount to build a middle school. I assumed some plans had been drawn up. But now I don't understand how they come up with a number and then say they are interviewing for "an architect who will help guide the planning of the new middle school". This really seems to be a GUESSTIMATE! And I really am troubled by that. Most likely going with some average amount per square foot or student? If that is the case, its just confirming they are rushing this to the ballot. I much prefer an amount based on plans for what we will be getting. We are owed better info.
tom m
3:16 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
remember this .....that 41 million might be a guesstimate (BUT) so will be the 26 million amount to repair the 2 schools ....and that 26 million could double over the next 5 years as other problems arise due to the aging of those schools
lyn
6:18 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
At least the $26 mil is based on an actual known building, whereas the $41 mil appears to be a GUESSTIMATE for what ANY middle school would cost. I'm more interested in specifics, after knowing what the actual costs would be for THIS middle school, fields, land, and location.
And, as I said above, they are already saying that a 10 year old elementary is not up to current technological standards. So, based on that, it doesn't really matter if we have a new or old school in 10 years from now, because there will be a need for improvements to either.
But, I'd be interested to know what part of the $26 mil is for Center and what is for Albion. Remember the $26 is for both. So, what if just major reno to Center with nice facelift and add on to accommodate all of 7th and 8th graders of the city? Do a combo and satisfy everyone. That would be called a compromise, and saving a historical building of the city, and we wouldn't have to look at those prison looking buildings.Also, centrally located and that property can accommodate the needs, instead of fitting a "square peg in a round hole" - trying to cram the new school where they probably should never have spent $700,000 for the land without first doing a study, especially with 5 acres of wetland. They seem to constantly sit back and then rush rush rush without proper follow through.
lyn
6:19 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
I think they could end up with a beautiful new expanded middle school where Center now stands. And, it would cost much less by doing a partial reno and partial new build. Also, since they will be asking us for more money for Phase 2, they should spend money on Phase 1 more wisely. AND, they better think twice about giving any great package to the teachers, because they can't expect us to have unlimited monies to fund everything.
Tom Brennan
7:08 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Call me cynical, but I might tend to believe that a local business powerhouse may already have their sights on the Center property. As in, the Catan bridal is just a few doors down the street. Just sayin'..........
lyn
8:12 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
That was something that I had never considered. But its a very interesting thought.
However, I don't think it would go over well AT ALL if the Catan family should acquire the Center property. It would be a very questionable transaction and I for one would NEVER be silent about it. Especially since that location is actually better suited for a middle school and if sold to Catan's instead, can you hear the backlash from the community? It wouldn't matter what eventually was built there, unless it was donated property to be used as public parkland or some other non-commercial, non-income producing use.
Tom, I truly hope you are wrong about your suggestion.
PJ
8:58 am on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Debbie, thanks for correcting the article if it indeed was your wording that got in the way. It was very believable that the Board could have said this though, given their other comments, like this plan being a "no brainer." This school building concept, with no plans, no location, competing concepts of repair or rebuild, and based on enrollment projections that were drawn up in 2009 using 2000- 2008 figures (pre-recession so maybe the figures have changed?), is anything but a "no brainer." I'm sure some people always vote "yes" to all school issues; and some in the community will always vote "no" no matter what. I think the majority however, need to think things through and would appreciate much more solid information.
Pete
3:33 pm on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Wait when was this decided? Anyway I think they just should built where Center is and make this the new Center. Of course they'd have to expand the school to fit kids from all 7 schools. As far as adding the 3 schools is concerned do we really need 10 elementary.schools? Where would we put them? They'd have to go somewhere a lot of children live.
lyn
5:12 pm on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Actually, they only want to have 5 elementary schools after all the rebuilds, renovations, new buildings and demolished schools.
The following is from an earlier article:
"Phase 2 would follow a few years later. A separate bond issue would pay to build three new elementary schools in Wards 1, 2 and 3; rebuild part of Muraski and renovate Kinsner; and demolish the other elementary buildings."
lyn
5:16 pm on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Out of all the schools currently standing, I think they are planning on wiping out all but the high school and 2 elementary schools. And, even on those 3 they are planning on spending mega bucks.
Louise
3:56 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
As a point of information, I checked and Kinsner was built in 1998, which makes it 14 years old. That is still too young to be needing major repairs now, but from what I can tell the repairs are part of a Phase 2 plan in five years or so, when the school will be nearly 20 years old, I would guess it may need upgrades, repairs by then as my house would. Is it so wrong to let the public know to expect to have to put money into the school then? I'm not convinced three new elementary buildings will even be necessary.
Pete
11:02 am on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
I don't think they are either. I don't think tearing down the current schools is necessary at all but instead upgrading them as they're not in bad condition nor do they have poor attendance.