WADSWORTH – While no final decisions have been made on the fate of Central Intermediate School, a committee formed to research and consider future plans for the more than century old building believe renovation would be a very expensive option. Superintendent Andrew Hill told members of the Board of Education that the committee, comprised of about 40 individuals including board members, parents, retired educators and other stakeholders, started by reviewing a report that was done as part of preconstruction work back in 2008. “The committee reviewed the report which showed costs to renovate vs. build new. They toured the facility and talked through different options,” Hill said. “It was decided to get an updated study done on the building to get accurate numbers.” According to the updated study, the estimated cost to renovate the building would be $21.5 million and the estimated cost to build a new facility would be $24 million. Hill said the district still needs to engage with the Ohio School Facilities Commission, but said he suspects the district would have to rely completely on local funds to renovate CIS, but would be eligible to leverage state funds to help build a new facility. Hill reminded the board that the committee is charged with making a formal recommendation to the board by June 2018. At that point, the board can review the recommendation and do its own research as well as set up a process for public input. The board is charged with making a final decision for the fate of CIS by no later than June of 2019. “As it stands now, the committee does not believe it makes financial sense to renovate that building,” Hill said. “They believe we need to build a new structure to house fifth and sixth grade.” Hill said another important task for the committee is to make some kind of recommendation on what to do with the existing structure. “I imagine that would involve conversation with the city or Main Street Wadsworth or other organizations that might have a vested interest in historical preservation,” Hill said. The last renovation of CIS took place in 2000 and the district was told at that time the renovations were expected to last about 25 years. “We wanted to have plenty of time to set up a plan and not have to rush into any decisions,” Hill said. Hill asked board members if it would be OK to reach out to other entities such as the city and Main Street Wadsworth that might have an interest in the future of the space. Board members agreed that reaching out to these entities would be a good idea. “There are no final decisions made,” Hill reminded. “The numbers say one thing, but there is a bigger picture.”

WADSWORTH – While no final decisions have been made on the fate of Central Intermediate School, a committee formed to research and consider future plans for the more than century old building believe renovation would be a very expensive option.

Superintendent Andrew Hill told members of the Board of Education that the committee, comprised of about 40 individuals including board members, parents, retired educators and other stakeholders, started by reviewing a report that was done as part of preconstruction work back in 2008.

“The committee reviewed the report which showed costs to renovate vs. build new. They toured the facility and talked through different options,” Hill said. “It was decided to get an updated study done on the building to get accurate numbers.”

According to the updated study, the estimated cost to renovate the building would be $21.5 million and the estimated cost to build a new facility would be $24 million.

Hill said the district still needs to engage with the Ohio School Facilities Commission, but said he suspects the district would have to rely completely on local funds to renovate CIS, but would be eligible to leverage state funds to help build a new facility.

Hill reminded the board that the committee is charged with making a formal recommendation to the board by June 2018. At that point, the board can review the recommendation and do its own research as well as set up a process for public input. The board is charged with making a final decision for the fate of CIS by no later than June of 2019.

“As it stands now, the committee does not believe it makes financial sense to renovate that building,” Hill said. “They believe we need to build a new structure to house fifth and sixth grade.”

Hill said another important task for the committee is to make some kind of recommendation on what to do with the existing structure.

“I imagine that would involve conversation with the city or Main Street Wadsworth or other organizations that might have a vested interest in historical preservation,” Hill said.

The last renovation of CIS took place in 2000 and the district was told at that time the renovations were expected to last about 25 years.

“We wanted to have plenty of time to set up a plan and not have to rush into any decisions,” Hill said.

Hill asked board members if it would be OK to reach out to other entities such as the city and Main Street Wadsworth that might have an interest in the future of the space.

Board members agreed that reaching out to these entities would be a good idea.

“There are no final decisions made,” Hill reminded. “The numbers say one thing, but there is a bigger picture.”