TPS votes to study potential headquarters change

Current building was built 92 years ago

The Thurgood Marshall Building , built in 1921, is the current headquarters for the Toledo Public Schools central administration.

The Toledo Board of Education voted today to study a potential move of Toledo Public Schools' headquarters.

Board members approved a staff request to do a feasibility study on transferring central administration staff from the Thurgood Marshall building on Manhattan Boulevard, possibly to another TPS building. A cost estimate for the study has not yet been worked up.

The resolution does not mention DeVilbiss High School by name, but an earlier resolution specifically listed the school as the proposed new district headquarters, and district staff have acknowledged that the school is being considered for the move.

The Thurgood Marshall building was built in 1921 and first served as an elementary school. It needs major renovations, including a new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.

The DeVilbiss building houses the Toledo Technology Academy, the district's technology-based magnet high school. Enrollment at the high-scoring school has grown modestly over the years, but at about 175 students still doesn't fill out the building.

The district also operates a preschool program there and several small departmental offices.

Board vice president Cecelia Adams voted against the study. She objected to what she considers is a focus on moving from Thurgood Marshall, instead of considering renovations of the building. 

The board also voted to allow TPS administrators to negotiate an agreement with TARTA that would allow the district to rent space at the transit agency's Central Avenue garage for $50 a month, per bus.

Both organizations announced tentative plans last week to have TPS keep 24 buses at the garage, which should reduce costs. The district's bus fleet is based out of its Hill Avenue garage, meaning buses must drive from West Toledo to other parts of the city before they start their routes.

District administrators said last week they estimated cost savings of between $20,000 and $100,000 a year from the partnership.

Contact Nolan Rosenkrans at: nrosenkrans@theblade.com or 419-724-6086, or on Twitter @NolanRosenkrans.