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Volume 55, No. 19
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CHESTERLAND NEWS Wednesday, February 14, 2024
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West G BOE Approves Facilities Master Plan By Allison Wilson editor@karlovecmedia.com Plans for a consolidated campus have taken another step forward after West Geauga Schools Board of Education voted to accept a facilities master plan during a Jan. 31 special meeting. However, passing the resolution does not mean the plan is set in stone, a point emphasized by board President Christina Sherwood. “I would like to stress that these are not votes for us actually doing it,” she said. “This is us saying we want the community to start looking at the option, and, ultimately, the choice lies in the community, and that’s why we’re here — to give the community choices.” Superintendent Rich Markwardt provided a recap on consolidation plans, which first began in 2018, and why they have taken so long. “The process was delayed by two factors. One of those factors was the addition of Newbury (Schools) to the West Geauga family. Newbury had not been a part of (the planning) process to any extent in 2018 because, as you recall, Newbury became part of West Geauga in 2020,” Markwardt said. “The other event that slowed down the discussion on the master plan was the (COVID-19) pandemic.” Post-pandemic, the district decided the master planning process needed to be updated, both to factor in the opinions of Newbury residents and because construction costs had increased by about 30%, Markwardt explained. “This is from a 2023 cost set,” Director of Operations and Technology Scott Amstutz said, referring to the updated plan by The GDP Group architecture firm. “We are expecting in April a new cost set to come out and with our architect, they talked about anywhere between up to a 3-5% bump in costs when it comes to the renovation and the new building.”
Building Plans Proposed
The board was provided a packet outlining the options for a new building housing grades nine through 12 or a new building hous-
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West Geauga Schools Director of Operations and Technology Scott Amstutz, far right, provides a break-down of building consolidation options to the school board during its Jan. 31 meeting.
ing grades six through 12. Per the nine-12 plan, Westwood Elementary School would be used for pre-kindergarten, while Lindsey Elementary School would be either abated or demolished. Either the middle or high school would be repurposed for grades three through eight, with the unused building being abated or demolished. Per the six-12 plan, either the middle or high school would be repurposed for pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, with the unused building being abated or demolished. Both Westwood and Lindsey schools would also be either abated or demolished. Costs ranged from $86.7 million for erecting a new nine-12 building and keeping the existing middle school, to $131 million to construct a new six-12 building and keep the existing high school. Board member Mary-Michelle Coleman Walsh asked if the renovation costs to keep Westwood online were factored into the estimated cost for the nine-12 building. Amstutz said they were not.
Financing Choices
Two financing options were presented to the board for the projects — a U.S. Department of Agriculture loan or a bond issue. While the USDA loan and bond issue have similar pre-election
timelines, the USDA application requires both an environmental survey and preliminary architect’s report, causing it to take a little more time, said municipal advisor Heather Meyer Arling, of Bradley
Payne Advisors. It takes about 30 days for the USDA to review and approve the loan, she said, adding the board needs to either have approval or See West G • Page 4
West Geauga Student Crowned Spelling Bee Champ
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Congratulations to West Geauga Middle School student Darren PrinceWright on his spelling bee success. Darren performed well in the West Geauga Middle School building level spelling bee and went on to win the district level spelling bee. Next, he moved on to represent West Geauga at the Geauga County Spelling Bee where he took first place. He will next represent all of Geauga County in the upcoming Tri-County Spelling Bee.
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