RELATED: Greenon bond issue election results
School administrators have been meeting throughout the week to prepare for their Thursday meeting with the construction commission. Greenon Superintendent Brad Silvus said he hopes to set a tentative timeline for the construction process after the meeting.
“My understanding is that they will discuss the time lines for moving forward and begin setting the next steps,” Silvus said. “This will likely include the assignment of the project manager from OFCC.”
The new building will be built on the current Indian Valley Intermediate School campus. Indian Valley will remain open during construction but will close once the new school opens, as will Enon Primary and Greenon High School. The new school will be for all students in the district, but officials said they intend to divide the building so that students of different ages won’t intermingle.
Conservative estimates put the school’s opening at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year, but it may not take that long, Greenon board of education members said in a statement.
“We can tell you that we will do our part to help the process move quickly and still meet your expectations for the future of Greenon schools,” the statement says.
MORE: Clark County: How safe are your schools?
During school forums held by the district last year, board members told residents that they planned to hold more forums and meetings with the public so they can help design the new school.
Some parents who have students in the district took to social media to celebrate the bond’s passing. Malissa Laugle told the Springfield News-Sun she was relieved when she learned it passed.
“I was actually nervous given that it hadn’t passed the last two times,” she said. “I was nervous and concerned that it might not passed, but I was relieved and excited.”
She said the schools at Greenon are in need of being replaced, and that officials have had to spend thousands of dollars on Band-Aides to repair issues at the schools. She said she hopes the district will take future money that would have gone to buildings and put it toward education.
“No. 1, it will be safer and it will structurally sound,” Laugle said of the new school. “They will also be able to have better technology and students will be better prepared for today’s jobs.”
PREVIOUS REPORTING: Greenon leaders want to build one new school for all of district
The board of education applauded residents for approving the bond issue in a statement after its passing.
“The Board of Education and administration thank the community for their support for our district and investment in excellent schools for our students … We look forward to working with all community members to design the future of Greenon Local Schools,” the statement says.
By the Numbers:
$54 million: Total cost of the new Greenon school.
$36 million Total cost taxpayers in the district agreed to pay for the new Greenon school.
$18 million: Amount the state of Ohio has offered Greenon to help build a new school.
Unmatched Coverage
The Springfield News-Sun has provided complete coverage of Greenon’s efforts to build a new school, including recent stories on forums for residents and digging into the costs for the new Greenon school.
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