BELLVILLE, Ohio — The Clear Fork school board is taking the first steps toward replacing both their elementary school buildings in Bellville and Butler. District officials say they will be seeking community input through surveys in the coming weeks.
School board members and Superintendent Janice Wyckoff insist the decision will be up to the community on whether or not to build. “Our job is to get good information to help the community make that decision,” Wyckoff said.
The initial survey “will probably be a three question online survey,” Wyckoff told board members. Clear Fork residents will be asked if the district should replace the elementary schools and whether the district should build one or two new schools. The link is not yet available but expected to be provided in time for next week’s Bellville Street Fair.
A follow-up survey is expected, containing more concrete details, including some cost estimates. Board president Jim DeSanto said he wants to make sure both Butler and Bellville residents, along with current students, have an opportunity to “provide feedback.”
School board members acknowledge there may be some concerns about replacing their elementary schools and insist they want to talk to voters. Wyckoff and DeSanto said most feedback to date is in favor of replacing the elementary schools.
“One older resident told me she wants to live long enough to see the buildings demolished,” Wyckoff added.
District officials say they want to improve the environment for students. Though a similar proposal over a decade ago failed, board members say they want new buildings.
“I’m excited about it and ready to move forward,” Jim Jackson said.
DeSanto said he believes it is not cost effective to continue repairing the aging structures. He added that the district would be “hard pressed” to completely renovate the buildings.
Jim Klenk noted Bellville’s original building was built in 1893, while Butler celebrated the building’s 100th anniversary this summer. Klenk said he believes that only Clear Fork and Lucas have yet to build new schools.
The district is not sure what the final price tag will be. They are seeking to “lock in” a plan with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) by January. This could mean the state would pay 61 percent of the cost and the other 39 percent would come through a local bond issue. Missing the January deadline could result in the state covering less of the cost.
The announcement came at the Clear Fork school district’s regular meeting, held at Butler elementary. Public comments were favorable but urged board member to have a design that resembles the current architecture. Klenk assured the public that future plans would honor the buildings’ heritage.
“We need to be smart about what we’re doing,” Wyckoff cautioned. “We are not likely to build any new elementary schools for another 100 years.” She indicated that the OFCC would provide money for asbestos removal and demolition of the two older structures.
“They don’t like school districts to have derelict buildings,” she explained.
“We need to be smart about what we’re doing,” Supt. Janice Wyckoff cautioned. “We are not likely to build any new elementary schools for another 100 years.”
