By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
One of the Bowling Green City Schools task forces encountered some sticker shock Wednesday evening.
For the first time, the facilities task force members got a peek at how much it might cost to accomplish some of the plans they are considering for the city’s elementary schools.
The lowest estimated price tag – for renovating all three elementaries – was $28.4 million. The highest price tag – for building one new large and one small elementary, plus repurposing Crim – was $41 million.
The top three options according to task force member voting are:
- Build one new consolidated elementary.
- Build a new Conneaut, a new Kenwood, and renovate Crim.
- Renovate all three elementaries.
The facilities task force has been charged with the duty of finding the best solution for Bowling Green’s school buildings that voters will support.
The leaders of the task force – architects and a former school administrator from the firm Fanning Howey – asked the task force members if they were ready to send those top options on to the finance task force whose job it is to determine how the district can pay for the projects.
Former school board member Ellen Scholl objected. She questioned the comprehensiveness of task force votes, and suggested that the school district needs to survey the community on its desire for buildings.
“The numbers we’re getting here don’t correspond with the people I’ve talked to,” Scholl said.
But another task force member, Frances Brent, noted that a community survey was already conducted. The results of that survey led to the first two school bond issues that were rejected by voters.
Another task force member, Jean Suelzer, said the task force members have toured Bowling Green’s schools and other districts’ buildings. She questioned how community members who haven’t seen the schools and sat through the task force meetings could make educated decisions.
“People have to know what is out there before they take a survey,” Suelzer said.
Brent agreed, saying that she had no idea Bowling Green was so far behind in school technology until she went on the tours. She said she has been “appalled” at the lack of technology in the city’s schools.
“Bowling Green is behind,” Brent said. “We are tying one hand behind the teachers. Northwood and North Baltimore are miles ahead of our kids.”
Following is a list of the building options that have been discussed, along with the cost estimate now, plus the estimate based on increased construction costs in a year:
- One new consolidated elementary for all 1,416 students: $36.1 million now; $39 million in a year.
- Renovate all three elementaries: $28.4 million now; $31.3 million in a year.
- Build a new Conneaut, a new Kenwood, and renovate Crim: $34.3 million now; $38.3 million in a year.
- Build two new elementary schools for 650 students each, plus repurpose Crim for pre-kindergarten classes and administration: $40.6 million now; $45.5 million in a year.
- Build one large and one small elementary, plus repurpose Crim for PK and offices: $41 million now; $46 million in a year.
- Build one large elementary for 1,006 students, and renovate Crim for 410 students: $29.7 million now; $33.2 million in a year.
Scholl asked why the estimated costs to renovate Crim Elementary were so high since that building was renovated recently.
The architects said that number is based on the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission report. And task force member Wayne Colvin said the tour of Crim pointed out deficiencies in technology, security, space issues, plus heating and cooling.
Task force member Barb Belleville brought up the issue of classroom space. She noted the large classrooms in the North Baltimore elementary. But she cautioned that larger rooms won’t quiet complaints about inadequate space.
“Everybody said they didn’t have enough room,” Belleville said. “Whatever we end up doing, we’ll need more room.”
Task force member Steve Bateson said concessions will have to be made in the building plans in order for voters to pass the funding.
“I think there’s going to have to be some major compromises,” or the funding will fail again, Bateson said.
And Dean Smith reminded his fellow task force members that the cost estimates presented Wednesday evening are aimed at solving only the elementary building issues. The estimates don’t touch the renovations or addition needed at the high school.
“I completely understand the want and the need,” Smith said. But dealing with the high school and elementaries may add up to $80 million – which will never fly with voters who already turned down a bond issue for $72 million, he said.
Another task force member noted that delaying action will result in the cost jumping to $100,000.
The task force members asked for a tour of the high school, so the next meeting of the group will be on Feb. 26, with the tour beginning at 6 p.m., and a meeting following at 6:30 p.m.
