TPS board advances plans for building 6 schoolhouses

7/2/2003

The Toledo Board of Education last night authorized design plans for six of the eleven school buildings in its $821 million construction program.

Superintendent Dr. Eugene Sanders said each building is a unique design and that community members played a big role in the design process.

The six schools in the first phase of construction are Oakdale and Ottawa River elementary schools, Leverette and Robinson junior highs, and new middle schools in the Libbey and Waite areas. Groundbreaking is planned for early next year.

The board voted to amend the design service agreement to include an additional $725,000 for locally funded initiatives, such as ball fields and stadiums.

Also approved was a resolution authorizing the superintendent to move a project from any of the later phases into the second phase of construction.

Dan Burns, who was appointed chief business manager last night, said the measure gives the district more flexibility and allows it to move a Libbey area project into the second phase - earlier than scheduled.

“In looking at the plan, the Libbey area really doesn't have a defined project in the second segment,” Mr. Burns said. “So that allows [the superintendent] the flexibility to move a project up - particularly in that learning community.”

The district is examining which of the Libbey area projects could be done in the earlier phase, Mr. Burns said.

Last night's board meeting was the first official chance for residents to see the plans, but only a few people other than employees of the district and representatives of several engineering firms attended.

The new Oakdale school is planned on the site of the former Pilkington North America technical center at Oakdale Avenue and East Broadway. The design shows a Y-shaped building. The new Ottawa River Elementary School design shows an L-shaped building north of the existing school.

The new Leverette Middle School drawing details a two-story, V-shape of classrooms that will be organized by grade.

The new Robinson building has two floors of classrooms with a separate one-story wing for music, dining, and physical education.

The additional middle school in the Libbey area is an L-shape, and the new middle school for the Waite area is an E-shape building.