The asbestos removal from Roosevelt and the razing of the property at 2701 Central Ave. will cost $402,800, district officials said. Middletown’s Phase 1 Building Project allotted $750,000 for the removal.
“I didn’t grow up in Middletown so I didn’t go to school there myself but it’s a beautiful building,” Board President Marcia Andrew said of Roosevelt, which has been empty for two years. “We’re sorry to see it go, but unfortunately the cost to renovate the building and bring it up to code would have been prohibited.”
Addressing the opposition of many, board member Katie McNeil read aloud a letter wishing to “save” Roosevelt, calling the building “historic.”
The district’s new software, called the A+ Learning System, will be used in OGT Prep classes, the Success Academy, Freshman Academy and address Credit Recovery and Credit Flexibility. It is less expensive than Middletown’s previous program.
“There was another (program) that was neck and neck with this one, but this was more engaging to students ...,” said Betsy Carter, Ph.D., director of learning.
Carter also said this was one of the least expensive systems Middletown looked at during its summer search for new online software.
The total of Middletown’s contract with A+ Learning System is $56,513. This is about $40,000 less than the previous program, Carter said.
Concerning OGT preparation, Andrew said “most online learning allows you to get right to where you need to be and pretty quickly assess problem areas.”
Additionally, the board passed a motion confirming the bus routes for the 2010-11 school year. Routes will be posted on Middletown’s website in about a week.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or asedlak@coxohio.com.
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