City school leader says: 'Tell me what to do' - junior high school must be dealt with

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By JENNY DERRINGER

derringer@crescent-news.com

While most voters in the Defiance City School District may have an opinion about the future of the junior high school, they apparently were not willing to express those thoughts with school officials or hear about district options on Monday evening.

Superintendent Mike Struble hosted a public forum concerning the district's financial forecast and the future of the junior high school, middle school and auditorium. But of the 20 people attending the forum at Defiance High School, 10 were actual concerned district residents and the rest were board of education members and school officials.

Shared was the district's five-year financial forecast, which projected the district's budget would be in red ink by 2010, according to Eric Beavers, CFO-treasurer. Cost-cutting measures to be implemented at the May 14 meeting are expected to move that inevitability back a year or two.

"Most districts wait until the wolf is at the door," said Struble. "We're addressing the debt up front and want to move the deficit back." Those measures include staff cutbacks and a reduction in the district's contract with the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center.

Struble also discussed a topic of many rumors -- the future of the junior high school, middle school and auditorium. The Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC) has offered funding for construction of an 89,000-square-foot building to house grades 6-8 and for high school renovations. The school board opted to defer on the building project in March. The total estimated cost was $30 million with district taxpayers picking up $10.5 million of the cost.

Also deferred was the option of renovations only to the middle, junior high and high schools, a $32 million project. The local share would have been $15 million -- $4.5 million more for renovations vs. new construction and high school upgrades.

With these options deferred for the current year, OSFC is expected to make a similar offer next year, but it was noted that construction/renovation costs continue to rise each year.

But something has to be done soon about the junior high school, which was constructed in 1918, officials said. Issues of immediate concern include the facility's boilers, explained maintenance director John Mayes, in addition to masonry, plumbing, heating/air conditioning and electrical upgrades.

"We have to deal with it," stressed Struble. "We have to do something. Doing nothing is not an option."

All this may be a hard pill to swallow since voters are currently paying for new construction, an operating levy and a renewal levy.

"I want to do what's best for the community," continued Struble. "Tell me what to do. It's all going to cost money. It (junior high school) is not going to fall down tomorrow, we'll 'bubble gum' things together."

Contrary to rumors, the board has no plans of taking the wrecking ball to the junior high and auditorium.

Should voters be given the option next year to fund a new middle school, then the board would seek a new owner for the architectural gem along Arabella Street. If renovations become the preferred option, then that is the route the board will take, Struble said.

Despite a small public turnout Monday evening, those in attendance shared their concerns and asked questions.

Earlier in the meeting, assistant superintendent Ian MacGregor addressed the new all-day, every-day kindergarten class schedule for the fall, noting that it was an option now since the poverty level for all four elementary schools had reached 40 percent, making the district eligible for federal funding that could be used for the kindergarten program.

This 40 percent poverty level fact concerned resident Greg Steyer. "I have a problem going to that many families at the poverty level with funding issues."

Struble stressed that the state only has $4 billion to fund new schools (from the tobacco settlement). As bond issues fail in districts throughout the state, he fears state legislators may find different avenues for the money.

Northside resident Sally Myers noted that the junior high is part of the community, who would be distressed if it was knocked down.

Her interest also concerned the four elementary buildings. "The elementaries are art deco buildings from the 1940s that should not be demolished," said Myers. "That would leave a hole in the neighborhood."

Struble reminded the guests that Anthony Wayne Elementary School will be sold to Defiance Catholic School and Slocum Elementary School will be sold to the city for a parking lot. The city also has expressed interest in Spencer Elementary School for a museum. Since the April 24 board meeting, another entity has shown interest in the northside school. The superintendent also noted that he has become aware of a private contractor that may be interested in Brickell, but hasn't come forward yet.

Struble plans to schedule future meetings concerning this phase of the master plan to get as much public input as possible about what the community would like to do with the junior high school.