BELLVILLE — The Clear Fork school district has selected Garmann-Miller to be the architects for new elementary school buildings in Bellville and Butler.
The Minster, Ohio firm was chosen after public interviews on June 20 with three potential architectural companies. The district is currently working on finance structure and will be interviewing construction management firms during the week of Aug. 22.
Garmann-Miller touted their experience with “Construction Manager at Risk” (CMR), the construction management style chosen by the district. CMR gives the local district control over the architectural design and the project itself while keeping within a “guaranteed maximum price” based on construction plans and specifications agreed upon.
The firm also said it has many of the needed architectural and engineering services “under one roof” though mentioned civil engineering would be subbed out.
“We are excited to work with Garmann-Miller,” Superintendent Janice Wyckoff said.
Noting what she described as their “great track record” with other school building projects, Wyckoff said board felt the firm was the “best fit” for the district.
Garmann-Miller, under the senior management lead of Bruce Miller, pledges to gain community input for the design of both elementary structures. However, the firm said it sees no way to keep Bellville elementary open during construction of the new building.
Students will have to be transported either to the high school and middle school or the old Butler elementary building while their new building is completed. Construction is expected to last at least a year.
Rockmill Financial Consulting president David Conley updated board members on financing efforts. Conley said interest rates are currently lower than expected which is good news for the district. Currently, a bond rating from Moody’s Corporation is being sought and plans are underway to offer some bonds to local residents. An informational meeting is being planned for the week of Aug. 1.
Finances were on the mind of board member Jason Snyder who asked the board to consider a resolution opposing charter, private, and online schools. He believes these schools have “dismal” academic results and wants the state to discontinue taking money from public school districts to fund alternative schools. He stated that over $3 million has been diverted to alternate schools since 2004.
Clear Fork had a record $349,409 deducted from their funding in Snyder’s passionate appeal was met with approval from board members.
“It’s a money grab,” Dan Freund said.
Friend believes local tax dollars are going to “hedge funds” of a few wealthy people instead of education.
“Ohio is the wild west of charter schools and a national embarrassment,” Freund added.
Board members expressed frustration about what they say is a lack of accountability over charter schools. Snyder’s resolution specifically challenges the use of public funds. Board president Jim DeSanto said he would like more statistical information before acting on the resolution. The board is expected to act on the resolution next month.
The district also approved staffing changes. Steve Bloir will move as principal of Bellville to be the principal at Butler elementary. Kirsten DeVito was hired as the new principal of Bellville elementary.
The girls basketball program has a new coach as Charles Schmidt comes on board, Joseph Jancura will lead the middle and high school vocal music program.
The district was faced with the possibility of being required to raise school lunches at their elementary and middle schools due to a federal mandate. The price changes would have been due to the “healthy hunger-free kids act of 2010.” However, the board stepped in and transferred $2,900 to the school lunch program, eliminating the need to raise school lunch prices.
The school lunch rate remains: $2.50 for elementary, $2.75 for middle school and $3 for high school lunches.
