By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Continuing discussions on the future of the modulars that house the Wynford Junior High, Superintendent Fred Fox took to the Wynford PTO Tuesday night to give an update on where the school district is at with the Junior High facilities.
Fox began his presentation with the most current five-year forecast of the school, noting that as of today the district finances appear to be in order over the next five years. Fox said that the next biennium budget could see $120,000 in funding cuts to the school, and at the moment the school is not looking for extra funds.
Fox then turned his attention to the current renewal levies. A 2.3-mil emergency levy and a 6.9-mil current expense levy has been renewed three times by the voters in the school district. Fox noted that in 2011 the school district attempted to pass a 4.25-mil levy for an updated 7-12 school, but the building had been rejected by the voters. The cost for the school then would have been $19 million.
Fox pointed out that the Wynford School District has asked the Ohio School Facilities Commission to look at the facilities, look at the projected student population and to look at the costs for renovating existing buildings, or building a new building. Fox added that the last estimate was $20 million to replace the buildings and $14 million to renovate them. As for funding, currently Fox noted that $10 million would come from the state while $8.3 million would have to be raised locally to build a new facility that would house the seventh through the twelfth grades.
Speaking about a tour of the facilities, Fox described the storage space as shrinking as the school’s population has grown. Fox also spoke about issues with leaking ceilings, aging cafeterias, as well as aging plumbing within the high school.
During his presentation, Fox noted that the elementary school had been built 18 years ago and will be paid off in 2023. Fox added that if a levy for a new building were to be passed by school district voters in November of this year, by 2023 the taxes would return to what the current levels are for the school district. Fox explained to the crowd that Wynford is more than just a school district.
“This school is what ties the Wynford community together,” Fox said. “Most of the schools are in places that have other places for the community to meet. We don’t just host students, but the community. We need to reach out and show the value that the school brings to the community.”
Fox then presented needs of the elementary school building at Wynford reporting that the interior doors, the back parking lot, and directional signage need to be fixed in that building.
Fox showed photos from his tours of the updated schools within the county explaining some of the improvements that the new facilities have offered each school.
Fox asked kids who had attended the PTO meeting if they wanted a new school facility, after posing the question most of the kids in the audience raised their hands.
Wrapping up his presentation Fox explained that no decisions have been made, however the school district should act on things early before construction costs could rise. Fox added that more public meetings would take place after the OSFC does their review of the district.
“The board wants a community dialogue,” Fox said. “I want to bring everyone up to speed on the project, and am available anytime, if you have questions send them to my email.”
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During the PTO meeting students and teachers highlighted activities that take place during the before and after school programs. Students reported what they did during the programs, and explained their favorite part of the program.
The PTO meeting also featured guest speaker Christina Walter of the United Way of Crawford County. During her speech, Walter spoke about the Let’s Read 20 program to see if it could be implemented into the county. The Goal of the Let’s Read 20 program is for parents to read to their children 20 minutes per day to promote literacy as well as help build the children’s vocabulary.