Volney Rogers School

[northside lurker]

I was doing some research this evening because of a comment left on this blog:
http://newytown.wordpress.com/2007/07/01/a-thought-on-education/#comments

WHY THE HELL DO YOU WASTE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO TEAR DOWN AND BUILD A NEW VOLNEY ROGERS MIDDLE SCHOOL; WHICH ISN'T EVEN THAT OLD!

I finally found the source outlining why some schools are not remodelled.  Look at page 34.
http://osfc.ohio.gov/pdfs/PlanningGuide/03PlanningApprovalandFunding.pdf

Basically, if the cost to bring this school up to OSFC standards is more than 2/3's the cost of a completely new building, and there isn't any specific desire to save the existing building, a new building will be built.

[our2cents]

The building has lower level flooding problems from what I was told by another one of the district's principal's.  That was part of the reason the students use outdoor trailers for some of their classes.

The original plans they had, was to make renovations and fix problems.  Then, the studies showed replacement was a cheaper alternative then fixing the building's current problems.  Water can be a nasty beast when it comes to indoor environmental concerns.  Hopefully the new plans address all the properties drainage issues and the new building will live on for many decades to come.

[northside lurker]

Many school districts who participate in the OSFC program demolish their old schools that are no longer being used.  It often has nothing to do with condition of the structure.

I could be wrong, but I think that demolition of the older, unused buildings is assumed.  Unless there is someone who steps up early in the process who wants to save the building and buy the land from the school district.

[jay]

Volney Rogers School is scheduled to be demolished later this year.  I just can't believe that a school built in 1960 is in such bad shape that it has to be destroyed.