While nearly $40 million of the cost would come from the Ohio School Facilities Commission, “Option B” would require an approximate local share cost of around $50.1 million.
“We heard from people who expressed what they felt was the most important aspects of education in Middletown schools, and I believe what has come out of this five-month process does reflect what we’ve heard. The ultimate recommendations that came out of this process were two master plan options — A and B,” said Stephen Wilczynski, executive director, principal of Fanning Howey, the architectural firm that helped create the proposed building options for the district.
“Option A” included the creation of a new middle school and a new high school for $106 million, which includes a price tag of $56.6 million in shared local dollars.
Both plans call for the demolition of the Wade E. Miller Gym while maintaining the present Manchester Building and keeping Barnitz Stadium in its same location. The two plans call for a larger gymnasium that would be located at the high school, flooring upgrades and the need for a school auditorium. These additions would be paid by Both options are still being considered for when the state facilities commission calls Middletown’s number for the possible $40 million in state aid toward building schools. Monday’s meeting merely recommended “Option B” as the district’s final plan.
Middletown Superintendent Greg Rasmussen said the OSFC is at school No. 425 today. It is expected that Middletown’s number of 450 will come up for consideration in three years, so the district wants to have a plan in place.
“They are still several years away from calling that magical number 450,” he said.
Board Vice President Chris Fiora asked what the cost would be without the state’s help, and Wilczynski estimated the total cost to be “about $85-90 million dollars.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2851 or jbombatch@coxohio.com.
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