The Van Wert County Courthouse

Thursday, Mar. 28, 2024

L’view hears construction project update

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent writer

A vote could come as soon as next month on a proposed classroom addition and office expansion project at Lincolnview Elementary School.

The Board of Education saw preliminary drawings and and learned more about the proposed project from Garmann Miller architect Brian Wolf during Wednesday night’s monthly meeting.

Architect Brian Wolf talks about a proposed classroom addition and expansion project at Lincolnview Elementary School. Scott Truxell/Van Wert independent

Plans call for three new classrooms, including new space for special needs students, a new elementary office, office space for the district’s special education director and school psychologist, and a more secure entrance to the building. Roughly one third of the current courtyard space would be used for the additional classrooms.

“The current courtyard isn’t getting utilized, so we looked at putting the addition out there to house the classroom space,” Wolf explained.

Wolf also told the board that the current cost estimate is $1.4 million, adding that, once approved, the project should take about eight months to complete, including roughly four and a half months of actual construction time.

Superintendent Jeff Snyder added the goal is to come in below $2 million.

In other business, board members joined other school boards around northwest Ohio in approving a resolution opposing the State of Ohio’s expanded EdChoice Scholarship (voucher) Program.

Snyder told the board the program, which was slipped into the state’s budget bill at the last minute, will likely have a substantial financial impact on public school districts around Ohio by channeling funds to private schools through vouchers. Snyder and other school administrators around the region will meet with local state lawmakers about the plan.

Snyder later told the board that the district’s new pavilion is nearing completion and added that two new buses are in and will be on the road soon. He also informed board members a new softball press box will be built this spring, and the 2020-2021 school calendar will be on next month’s agenda for a vote.

Snyder also lauded board members as part of School Board Recognition Month.

During his report to the board, Treasurer Troy Bowersock said budget and revenue figures are on track and added nearly 250 W-2 and 1099 tax forms have been distributed.

Lincolnview Elementary Principal Nita Meyer informed the board that gifted education testing has been taking place this week, and Lincolnview Junior High/High School Principal Brad Mendenhall noted a College Credit Plus informational meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 29. He also said sophomores will visit Vantage Career Center on January 31, and noted the school’s annual career fair is set for March 5.

Board members also heard from a group of fifth- and sixth graders who took part in the Young Writers USA competition, along with several high school juniors and seniors who took part in a job shadowing program.

The board accepted a $13,333.34 donation from the Mary E. Marxen Scholarship Fund to support the district’s music curriculum, along with an identical amount from the Norman L. Marxen Scholarship Fund for science curriculum, and an anonymous donation of $1,850 for the Heritage Scholarship Fund.

The board also renewed memberships with the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce, Willow Bend Country Club, and the Ohio Education Policy Institute, and board members approved an overnight trip for FFA students to attend the Ohio FFA Convention in Columbus April 30 and May 1.

The next meeting of the Lincolnview Local Board of Education will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, February 27, in the Neubrecht Lecture Hall.

POSTED: 01/23/20 at 1:19 am. FILED UNDER: News