Why A New School Building?

For several years school districts across Ohio have been faced with the problem of aging facilities that are expensive to operate, and even more expensive to repair.   The cost of removing and replacing asbestos products, aging water lines and boiler systems has become a daunting task for schools with limited budgets.   In November 2011 Vermilion formed two Citizen Committees, the Facility Task Force and Financial Task Force to look at the total operation of the district and determine the best way to reduce operating expenses and update or replace aging facilities.   

Vermilion owned four buildings with significant and ongoing electrical, roofing, and heating problems that were costing the district more money every year to maintain.   In order to reduce expenses and provide the students with a safe, secure and up-to-date learning environment, complete upgrade and replacement of these three areas would have been necessary.   In reality, the cost for replacement and repair was more expensive than construction of a new, modern facility.  

After meeting for several months, both the Fiscal and Financial Task Forces recommended that the best way to achieve the goal of cost savings was to close and sell older, outdated school buildings, and combine the district onto a single campus.   A bond issue was recommended as a means to relocate elementary students to the Sailorway Drive area.  Taxpayers were not in favor of a bond issue, so interested members of the Facility and Financial task forces reconvened to look for other ways to reduce spending and achieve long term stability for the district.   The group was able to find and recommend to the Board of Education an alternative method to finance construction of a new school.   

By building this new elementary school, the district has been able to save money and resources while also providing the students with a first-class learning environment, with safety and security as one of its top design features.  We were able to implement new learning centers and integrate updated technology into every area of the school.   All of this was achieved without disruption to the student learning process.  Below are some photos showing typical classrooms and the secure entry to our new school.  

We have found overwhelming support for the improvements made over the past two years.  Through sound financial planning and reducing operating costs, the district has been able to build a new school and remodel existing facilities without asking taxpayers for additional money.  Savings realized through closing outdated, expensive buildings, creating a single campus, and the sale of property has allowed the district to continue operating within its budget.