Dover citizens asked to take part in building advisory committee for new Dover High School construction

  • by Jennifer Kneuss
  • April 21, 2011
  • 413
Dover citizens asked to take part in building advisory committee for new Dover High School construction
Dover citizens asked to take part in building advisory committee for new Dover High School construction
Dover citizens asked to take part in building advisory committee for new Dover High School construction
Dover citizens asked to take part in building advisory committee for new Dover High School construction
                        
Summary: The Dover City Schools’ Board of Education has made plans to take advantage of 28%, or approximately 9 million dollars, in matching state dollars to construct a new high school building. Now, much is up to the voters. Searching for answers to their questions about a proposed new high school building, Dover citizens turned out in significant numbers to the Dover High auditorium on Wednesday, April 20. The evening’s speakers included representatives from the Ohio Schools’ Facilities Commission (OSFC), architectural firms, school board members, and others knowledgeable about the issues involving both the existing and proposed buildings. Superintendent Bob Hamm explained to those in attendance that the board had made the decision to proceed with plans for a new Dover High School. “We will be eligible for 28% assistance under the Exceptional Needs Program (ENP) from the state,” he explained. “We may not have this opportunity again. We are in the negotiating stages of securing the necessary piece of property, but this will all have to go before our Dover voters. The 80 plus acres of land that we are looking at will supply our needs according to the Ohio Schools’ Facilities Commissions’ recommendations of 40 to 45 acres for our building size, and will also provide for additional land in the years to come as we have to start looking at the other buildings in our district and needs they present.” The current Dover High School property is on approximately five acres. The OSFC is expected to notify the Dover City School District shortly that they are qualified for funding to build the new school. Monies are available, on a rating basis, to districts that have risks from building conditions or overcrowding that are detrimental to the health and safety of their student population. Buildings in eligible districts are thoroughly assessed to determine their condition, and that process was completed at Dover in September of 2010. OSFC then factors in enrollment projections as well as local input in coming up with their ranking system. As a result, Dover is in the number one slot across the state to receive financial assistance for a project. If they decline, the money goes on to the second district on the list, with no guarantees that Dover City Schools will be offered assistance in following years. OSFC will provide funding for renovations versus new construction only if such a project can be completed, within up to date design and code standards, for less than 2/3 of the cost of a new building. Although the existing building is “built like a rock” according to the superintendent, that is part of the difficulty in affordable renovations. There are multiple code problems, including open stairwells that would become tunnels of smoke and fire if a fire should break out in the building, leaking water coming through ceilings, antiquated boiler systems that must be replaced, lack of sufficient restroom facilities for the current school population, and many other factors that have placed the high school building on the top of the OSFC list. At the end of the district presentation, guests were encouraged to ask questions. John Miceli asked several pertinent questions, including the cost of utilities for the current building. “We are currently spending $250,000 each year in utilities alone,” replied district treasurer Brenda Hurst. “The new building will include utility cost projections.” It was pointed out that a new structure would be energy efficient and meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification standards. Connie Frink questioned if parts of the old building, including furnishings, could be used to help keep costs down on a new facility. School officials clarified that the cost of doing so would not be feasible, and that existing items would be sold to recoup some of the expense of new purchases. The exception would be such things as computers and textbooks. MaryLou Keener has two children in the district, and sees the need as real also. “I don’t want my kids to be sitting there, worrying about water leaking down on them during class,” she explained. “We need to do this.” Superintendent Hamm requested that those willing to be part of the building advisory committee notify him. Upcoming meetings will be held May 4 and 18, and June 1. An issue will be placed on the November ballot for voter approval.


Loading next article...

End of content

No more pages to load