By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
It may not look like much yet, but the new Bowling Green High School is on schedule, on budget – and ready to be shown off to the community.
During the Bowling Green Board of Education meeting Thursday evening, Superintendent Ted Haselman invited the community to a construction update meeting on Sept. 9. He encouraged local residents, school staff and students to attend.
The project architects will be on hand to present an overview of the high school, using the big screen in the district’s Performing Arts Center. The architectural firm, DLR Group, will explain how the school design was finalized, and who was involved in the process, Haselman said.
“It should be very rewarding to see the progress,” said school board member Ryan Myers, who with board president Norm Geer, serves as board representatives on the building design committee.
As promised by Haselman nearly two years ago, the band tower constructed by volunteers, has been uprooted from its home in the west section of the parking lot, where the new high school is being erected.
With the help of a crane, the wooden band tower was reinstalled in the field east of the football stadium, he said.
But Haselman went on to caution that the construction project comes with some unavoidable headaches – especially when it comes to students getting to and from the existing high school and middle school.
“This comes with a series of necessary changes to the traffic pattern,” Haselman said. And those changes are bound to create confusion and take more time to navigate before and after school.
“Please plan ahead” and be patient, he said.
“We need to keep our eye on the prize. It will be worth the short-term pain,” he said.
Also at Thursday’s board meeting, Treasurer Matt Feasel reported that the HVAC system in the high school band room broke down and needed emergency repairs so it was up and running before school starts next week.
In other business, the board hired several advisers, mentors and coaches. Haselman emphasized that all had the necessary Ohio Department of Education pupil permits, and background checks.
The board also accepted a total of $8,310 in donations for the Bobcat Basics program, the Crim Elementary inclusive playground, and school supplies.
