ThisWeek CW 07/23/2015

http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2015/07/20/firm-hired-to-move-modulars-to-dunloe-elementary-school.html

Two modular structures now at Groveport Madison High School will be moved as a first step in clearing the way for construction of a new high school.

The school board voted unanimously July 8 to hire Taylor Classroom Sales Inc., a Toledo-based company, for slightly more than $100,000 to move the two-classroom units to Dunloe Elementary School.

District Treasurer John Walsh said the move will take place in two phases; the first is expected to be completed in time for the start of the 2015-16 school year while the second phase is expected to be completed by October.

Superintendent Bruce Hoover said the decision to move the modulars to Dunloe was related to current capacity issues at the elementary school.

“This decision isn’t based on the current building size but on capacity, which is why we need these at Dunloe,” Hoover said.

Although the classrooms are considered mobile, they still require a permanent, structural pad and a complete building inspection that includes electrical and plumbing systems before they can be used.

Taylor Classroom Sales Inc. will be in charge of completing all these steps, along with the actual relocation of the modular units.

A third modular unit currently on the high school property is a 14-classroom building which the district leases. It will still be in use by the high school at the beginning of the school year while a replacement 14-classroom modular unit is installed in front of the current high school building.

Walsh said that to purchase a new modular unit of that size, particularly one that would only be used temporarily until the new high school is completed, is cost-prohibitive.

“New units that size run about $600,000 so we’re going to look at another lease agreement or possibly finding a used unit for much less,” Walsh said.

Hoover said that space restrictions mean the high school cannot be without the modular unit during the school year. By placing a new modular in front of the high school, which he anticipates will be done by October, the district will be able to move out of the old modular classrooms and into the new ones over a weekend, meaning no break in classroom time for students.

In other project news, Chris Dumford, the architect for the new high school project, said his team is still working to reconcile construction estimates with the construction manager. He anticipates having a schematic design and construction budget plan ready for board approval in August.