By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Building a $70 million school is going to be disruptive. But the turmoil caused will be worth it, the project manager of the new Bowling Green High School said Tuesday evening.
Brian Swope, of Rudolph Libbe, presented a report during the school board meeting as the first in a series of updates planned on the project.
On a diagram of the high school project, Swope pointed out the first area of activity in the geothermal field, situated in the area previously used as a soccer field. A total of 140 wells are being installed 300 feet deep, to heat and cool the high school.
Once the wells are completed, a new parking lot will be paved over the geothermal field.
Swope showed the new traffic pattern for parents dropping off or picking up students at the high school, and the slight change in the pattern at the middle school.
In June, the construction fencing will go up around the new high school site. On the southern edge of the property, construction trailers will be placed along West Poe Road.
Two years later, in June of 2027, the fence will come down, and the high school will officially move into the new building. At that point, the existing high school will be torn down. And then renovations will begin on the activity center area.
“This can be disruptive,” Swope said. “It’s a $70 million project right here in this parking lot.”
“But in two years, it’s all going to be over,” he said.
“I think we’re ready,” said board member Tracy Hovest.
“I’m ready, too,” Swope said.
The project continues to be on budget, with the design development stage nearing completion, Superintendent Ted Haselman said.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, Treasurer Matt Feasel presented the five-year forecast for the district’s budget. He noted the real estate collections were up 5%, likely due to reappraisals and a little growth in inside millage. Income tax revenue was up 2.5%.
But Feasel pointed out that it’s difficult for school districts in Ohio to plan ahead, with “all the moving parts taking place down in Columbus.”
A petition is being circulated to eliminate property taxes in Ohio, and the legislature wants to get rid of the “fair school funding” program. “That’s sad,” Feasel said.
In other business, Haselman and board members Norm Geer and Ryan Myers thanked voters for passing the operating levy earlier this month.
“We have a great deal of gratitude and pride,” Geer said.
Haselman announced that 230 seniors will graduate on Sunday. Many have excelled scholastically, with 90 in the National Honor Society, 67% with a GPA over 3.0, one National Merit Scholar, and three will be attending Ivy League schools.
“I look forward to future accomplishments as they continue the next chapter of their lives,” Haselman said.
In other business, the board:
- Accepted the resignation of Crim Principal Zeb Kellough.
- Accepted the retirement of Elizabeth Krolak.
- Approved three-year contracts for Dan Black, high school principal; Alyssa Karaffa, Conneaut principal; and Michel Bechstein, Kenwood principal.
- Accepted donations totaling $26,857 for the DECA International Career Development Conference, Crim Elementary playground, Bobcat Basics, Key Club, softball batting cage, commercial paper cutter, plus shoes, snacks and toiletries.
- Accepted a donation of 19 skids of cleaning and kitchen supplies and equipment from Betco Corporation.
