ThisWeek CW 08/20/2015
http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2015/08/17/bond-sale-will-fund-building-purchase-renovation.html
The Groveport Madison Board of Education agreed unanimously last week to approve the sale of $9.5 million worth of bonds to fund the purchase and renovation of a 109,000-square-foot building at 4400 Marketing Place.
The building, located behind the Eastland Career Center, will allow the district to consolidate its administrative offices, Innovation Center, Cruiser Academy and bus garage into one space.
Superintendent Bruce Hoover told the school board at its Aug. 12 meeting the consolidation will reduce the district’s leasing and energy costs and will mean the transportation center will be near the current high school while a new high school is under construction.
“I had (transportation contractors) Petermann come in and discuss the cost of moving all the busing during construction versus a new bus garage adjacent to the high school property and this makes better financial sense,” Hoover said. “Currently, we’re spending almost a $1 million a year for our leased properties and transportation.”
Hoover said the district will purchase the building for about $2.8 million, which will leave more than $6 million from the bond sale for renovations.
“We’ve been getting complaints about our leased properties in both their condition as well as energy costs,” Hoover said. “For example, we lease the administrative building for about $11,000 a month and spend $16,000 on utilities, and that just doesn’t make sense.
“This deal will put everything under one roof, bringing many of our students and staff and administrators closer together; and our architects believe that we can complete the renovations for under $6.3 million.”
Hoover said he believes that if planning remains on track, the district could begin moving into 4400 Marketing Place at the end of the 2015-16 school year.
“This is going to allow us to control our costs over the long term and continue our goal of saving the district and residents money,” he said. “We’re working with the city now to get a zoning variance for the building and if all goes as planned, hope to move in next June.”