Facility Planning

Columbus (Ohio) panel recommends $365 million school rebuilding plan

Citizens committee supports plan to rebuild or renovate 18 schools.
June 7, 2016
2 min read

A citizens panel has recommended that the Columbus (Ohio) district rebuild or remodel 18 schools at a cost of $365 million.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that if the school board agrees with the recommendation, the plan could go before voters in a November bond election.

The project would close three elementary schools — Broadleigh, Valley Forge and Siebert — and move Hubbard Elementary to a new site. It also calls for the district to replace Columbus Alternative High School's building with a new $40.5 million facility.

The Columbus Global Academy for non-English-speaking students and International High School, which offers foreign-language-immersion classes, would be housed in a new $32.1 million building, the plan says.

In addition to the two high schools and the Hubbard move, the plan would mean rebuilding or remodeling these buildings at these costs:
The new plan would emphasize the creation of K-8 schools and the phasing out of 7-12 schools, Superintendent Dan Good says.

If voters eventually approve the plan, a share of the costs would be paid for by the Ohio School Facilities Commission, but the precise amount has yet to be calculated. The state pays for 30 percent of most costs, but won't pay for certain features.

Replacing all of the district's aging buildings would cost an estimated $1.3 billion.

About the Author

Mike Kennedy

Senior Editor

Mike Kennedy, senior editor, has written for AS&U on a wide range of educational issues since 1999.

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