Does Norwalk need a new elementary school?

NORWALK — Seven people are running for three spots on the Norwalk City Schools Board of Education in November. Running are incumbents Ralph Ritzenthaler, Steve Linder and Beth Schnellinger, along with Shannon Mason, Alison Crawford, Jim Lawrence and Jeremy Norris. We asked each candidate five questions and will run their answers (one a day) this week: Do You think Norwalk needs a new elementary school? Jeremy Norris: I believe Norwalk needs a new elementary school. We currently waste so much money with so many different buildings in our district. Busing is a fiasco as well and diesel prices certainly aren't going in the right direction. The upkeep on the buildings are ridiculous and some of the buildings are almost as old as Norwalk itself. A consolidated, modern building is what Norwalk needs in the long term. Alison Crawford: I am not opposed to a new elementary school. I am one of the many parents that has three kids at three different schools with multiple different start and end times (next year will be four and four different schools)! I think most of us would love a new school housing all elementary grades, but I also believe there is a lot more to consider before we can decide if this idea is viable. Can the current elementary buildings be sold? Do we have an idea how long it will take them to sell? What will the cost of upkeep and other projectable expenses be on each building until it is sold? What will happen to administration personnel in each separate building (principals, assistant principals, counselors, office staff)? I think it is a complex project and needs more research and planning to come to fruition. Shannon Mason: Key word "needs" the daily functions of the current elementary schools seem to be working but obviously not ideal. Steps for a new elementary school for our district is not something that can happen overnight. But yes, I would like to see what possible opportunities there are for a new elementary school. Ralph Ritzenthaler: I strongly feel a new elementary school is needed. The school board owns 20 acres of land across from the high school on Shady Lane Drive. Building on this property should be a huge savings since there are no structures on the farmland to be removed. Other districts are hindered with the job of removing an existing building before new construction may start according to Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC). We have to remember that most of our elementary schools were built with the ideas and building materials of that era. The construction of League Street School was started in 1912, the year the Titanic sank. Main Street School was constructed in the 1940's and Maplehurst School in the 1950's. Pleasant school has been updated, but still needs more work. I can remember teaching in my classroom at Maplehurst with my 4th graders working on 5 computers. Suddenly the circuit breaker popped and all their hard work was lost. We need a building with 21st century technology. One that will meet our present and future needs. We recently received a district building report from the architectural firm of Garmann-Miller. Their architects and I toured League, Maplehurst, Pleasant, and Main Street complexes. Their report has been completed and is available to the public upon request. According to their report, our problem now in 2021 is the cost of the project. The square footage cost of building has changed considerably. What was figured at $240 a square foot only a short time ago, now has increased to around $329 a square foot. The last report from OFCC stated that they would fund around 79% of the elementary project. We need to obtain an updated percentage. I have a meeting in a few weeks with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission to see where our district stands. I'm sure Mr. Cooley, his staff, and I will be able to get more information at that time. What will we do with the old buildings? The OFCC will have their input on them. Beth Schnellinger: Most definitely. It takes a lot of planning, financially and project wise in order to make this a success. Jim Lawrence: It should be discussed. I don't know the condition of the existing buildings. Sometimes new is more economical than repairs. Europe has buildings hundreds of years in age. So age is not a question but condition is a deciding factor. Also, is there a student benefit to the stability of being around the same teachers and administration as a young age? I'm sure parents would enjoy one single pick-up and delivery point rather than multiple schools for multiple students. Steve Linder: Ever since I've been part of the board.