By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green High School senior Sam Challu noted the irony of his speaking at the groundbreaking for the new high school Thursday afternoon. After all, he has been accepted at Brown University and will miss the completion of the new high school by two years.
But the importance of Thursday’s event was not lost on Challu, who pointed out that the areas with the brightest futures are those where communities invest in students.
“I want to thank you for believing in us,” he said to the crowd gathered under a large tent set up in the current high school parking lot – soon to be occupied by the new high school.
Challu talked about the importance of the collaborative learning areas in the new building.
“In our modern world, teamwork is no longer an optional skill,” he said.
As he prepared to speak, Challu sought input from fellow students. When he asked them for one word to describe their feelings about the new building, they responded with words like exciting, hopeful, thankful and opportunity.
One student bent the one-word rule and said “no more snapping turtles,” referring to the creatures that showed up in the art room one day, Challu said.
The new high school likely won’t have snapping turtles in the three-story, 55,000-square-foot building set to open in the fall of 2027. Over the past 17 months, more than 50 different layouts have been discussed for the new school.
The goal was to design a school that meets the needs of students today, tomorrow and for generations to come. Last summer, the BG Board of Education voted to contract with Rudolph Libbe for construction manager-at-risk services for the new $72.8 million high school. Designing the project is DLR Group Columbus office.
At the school board’s request, the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission has committed to paying 17% of the new high school construction expenses that the state is willing to fund. That state share is expected to be close to $10 million.
When asked before the groundbreaking Thursday about the possibility of the project going over budget due to increased construction costs brought on by tariffs, Superintendent Ted Haselman said the project can’t go over the $72.8 million budget.
“So far, we’re on budget,” he said. In a few weeks, the district will have updates on construction costs, including the steel package for the project, Haselman said.
Thursday’s groundbreaking ceremony had the markings of a pep rally – the Madrigals singing the alma mater, the bands playing the Bobcat fights song, and the symphony sextet serenading ahead of the program.
“Welcome to making history,” said retired newscaster Jerry Anderson, who emceed the event. When he graduated from BGHS in 1971, the high school was fairly new.
“The school was still young and sparkly and in good shape,” Anderson said.
But those days are long gone, and the community saw the need and supported a tax issue. The new building will allow the district’s excellent teachers “to make the world come alive for future Bobcats,” he said.
“This marks the beginning of a new era for education in Bowling Green,” Haselman said during the ceremony. This “bold step forward” will focus on collaboration, innovation and opportunities.
Haselman thanked the community for trusting the district’s leadership and supporting the levy for the new school. “You’ve demonstrated your commitment to the school,” he said.
To students, he reminded them of their significance.
“You are the reason we are here,” he said. “Your dreams matter.”
To parents and families, Haselman thanked them for their patience. “Thank you for walking alongside us” and working to create a “legacy of learning, excellence and community spirit.”
Building a new high school will allow the district to do “the important work of public education,” and “be a point of pride for our entire community,” he said.
Board of Education President Norm Geer thanked the BG Families for Schools organization for its efforts to pass the levy for the new building, and the school board members, “who would not give up on a new high school.”
The district tried four failed attempts over seven years, before passing a levy for a new building in the fall of 2023.
“We couldn’t have done it without our entire community,” Geer said. “It is a monument to what can be done. We know the most valuable asset of any community is its youth.”
High School Principal Dan Black talked about the years of work that went into the new school.
“Today marks a milestone. It feels like we’ve been waiting for a long time,” he said. “I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
The new Bowling Green School District will be the system that other districts try to emulate, Anderson said.
“That’s the target others will try to attain,” he said.
Among the features of the new high school are:
• Site design connects the new high school with the middle school and a renovated activity center to create a cohesive campus design.
• Commons space and Learning Hub (media center) are central focal points for the facility.
• Commons space serves as dining and multi use space for classes to use collaboratively.
• Learning stairs (seating stairs) connect the commons and media center for large group gatherings and co-teaching opportunities.
• Dedicated Learning Center for special education teachers and students offers life skills resources.
• Classrooms offer flexibility with operable walls to support collaboration and co-teaching.
• Classrooms and labs are equipped with interactive displays.
• Vo-Ag, Fine Arts, and Family Consumer Sciences have outdoor learning spaces.
• Food service and kitchen mimics a food court with varying food options.
• Gymnasium serves 1,750 spectators with a walking track surrounding the entire gym floor.
