CHS project moves closer to bid process

Local leaders

to meet

with OSFC

on stage issue

BY BECKY BROOKS

Enterprise Editor

clydenews@bizwoh.rr.com

Although the exterior to Clyde High School may not change dramatically by 2011, the school superintendent said Monday night it will be a whole new building inside.

Monday night, the Clyde-Green Springs Exempted School District Board of Education approved the district's plan (a program of requirements) for the use of square footage in the CHS renovation and expansion project.

Superintendent Todd Helms pointed out that there would be new sound systems, new lighting, a new projection system, wiring and ductwork installed in every room. He said classroom TVs are all being replaced by a wall projection system.

This is the first plan of the four-school $56 million project to be presented to the local board for approval and it passed unanimously, 4-0, as board member Matt Nicely was absent.

Jason Weis, representing the state-appointed, project contractor - the Bostleman Group, explained this first step assures the building design meets the Ohio School Facilities Commission requirements for usage of each square foot in a building.

"To make sure everything is in line," he said.

The Buehrer Group is designing CHS and its expansion. Architect Kent Buehrer, whose company previously designed the new auditorium section, was present also Monday night at the meeting in the local municipal building.

Weis said Buehrer had forwarded the schematic design for the high school to his office on Monday and now the project would be prepared for bid.

The design for CHS includes a new auxiliary gym behind the new auditorium wing, an expanded kitchen and cafeteria on the Race Street side, plus new school offices.

Buehrer said there would be changes throughout the entire building at CHS.

"The whole rest of the building will be air conditioned," he said noting that a new chiller would be needed, as now only the two newer sections and the offices are air-conditioned.

He also reported that the entire building would receive a security upgrade, including the auditorium wing with the addition of cameras and new door locks.

Helms also reported that local officials would be meeting with Ohio School Facilities Commission representatives next Wednesday to discuss a sticking point the three other school projects slated for the local school district.

The OSFC currently requires an 1,100 square foot stage in each new facility and local educator have planned for that allotted footage to be used for other classroom area under pending designs for South Main, Green Springs and a new middle school.

"If everything is okay, three buildings are ready to go," Weis added. "If we can't get the OFSC to go with our direction," he commented there would be design changes needed.

Helms said his staff has looked at design alterations if the OSFC still requires a stage area in each building. Local school leaders saw no need for the small stages as all grades now have access to the CHS auditorium for their programs.

As part of the OSFC project, the board also approved creating a district maintenance account with in the school budget.

Treasurer Alan Binger reported that $115,182 would be earmarked annually for 23 years into the new account to pay for required maintenance of the new buildings. The first deposit will be made at the end of the upcoming school year in Fiscal Year 2009 with $50,000 to come from the state funds and the remainder from the new school income tax.