By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
After months of asking the public to be patient, Bowling Green City School District officials were finally able to point out visible progress on the new high school.
“As you drove in tonight, you could see progress,” Superintendent Ted Haselman said at last week’s Board of Education meeting.
Construction has begun on digging 140 vertical geothermal wells to heat and cool the new high school. The geothermal system will be efficient and environmentally sustainable, Haselman said.
The wells will be located where the soccer field was previously located, between the football field and the existing high school parking lot. After the geothermal system is in place, that area will become the parking lot for the new high school – which will be constructed in the existing parking lot.
Board member Ryan Myers, who has been serving on the new high school design team, said it’s great to finally see earth being moved for the project.
“It’s starting to feel real – we’re talking colors,” Myers said of the continuing design meetings.
Haselman announced the groundbreaking for the new high school is scheduled for May 1, at 4 p.m., in the current high school parking lot.
“As always – more to come,” he said.
The new high school is expected to be open in the fall of 2027.
When planning for the $72.8 million high school bond issue, it was predicted that the interest rate would be 5.25%. But the district ended up with 4.07%, which is expected to save about $13 million over the 30-year life of the bonds.
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 very close to $10 million.
The current high school is 178,000 square feet. The design team suggested the new high school be 151,190 square feet – since 54,000 of the old high school will be retained as a community activity center.
In other business at the board meeting, President Norm Geer expressed his appreciation for the school district’s new “Quality Profile” publications.
“This is a real eye-opener,” about the accomplishments of the district, Geer said.
“They tell the entire story of Bowling Green City Schools,” unlike state report cards, which provide just a snapshot of student progress on a particular day, Haselman said.
The “Quality Profile” publications will focus on six areas of academia, arts, student leadership, fiscal stewardship, parent involvement and student participation.
“This is a more complete picture,” Haselman said.
Also at the meeting, Haselman read off a list of community members, organizations and businesses that donated a total of $22,181 to the district last month. The donations were made to help with unpaid lunch charges, the Crim Elementary inclusive playground, DECA, school choirs, scholarships, the after prom, FFA Bobcat-a-thon, clothing, school supplies, snacks, toiletries, water bottles, fleece blankets, and a timing system for track.
Board member Ardy Gonyer also reported on the annual trivia night fundraiser for the Bowling Green Schools Foundation.
In other business at the meeting, the board recognized high school athletes for their achievements.
Among those honored were the BGHS girls swimming team members who placed first place in NLL All League Swimming and First Team Cardinal Division. Coach Carolyn Layne told of the accomplishments of Meaghan Desmond, Alayna Mahan, Mia Buff, Melanie Long, and Maura Desmond.
BGHS boys bowling team member Cyrus Higham was recognized for making the NLL All League First Team. And bowling coach Armando Calderon was named NLL Boys Coach of the Year.
Unable to attend the meeting were BGHS girls basketball player Emerson Williams, who made the NLL All League First Team, and BGHS hockey player Rhett Winger, who made the NHC Red Division First Team.
