Question - Why do we need new elementary schools?

Answer - One of the major reasons for building new elementary schools is the enhanced safety and security features for all students, staff, and community that new buildings have to offer. With the growing concern of keeping our children safe, schools are now constructed to have only one main entrance which all visitors enter during the school day. The other doors can be automatically locked from the office in the case of an emergency. New schools also have security cameras throughout the building, capturing any suspicious activities 24 hours a day. The new elementary buildings will also be handicapped accessible. Our current buildings have students in the basements and up on the stage areas that are not accessible to handicapped individuals.

Another very important reason for needing new elementary schools is that we still have students being educated in spaces that are not intended to be used for classrooms. Even with the declining enrollment we are still utilizing every space available in the current buildings, especially in the Glandorf building where the enrollment has remained relatively steady. The classroom in the basement at Glandorf Elementary is used almost every period in the day by our Jr. High students. We also have students on the stages in both elementary buildings. At the Ottawa location we are still utilizing the portable classrooms. The portable classrooms are ten years old and already are in need of major repairs in the next few years. We have already replaced the flooring in the hallways and completed some repair work in the restrooms. Maintenance costs in the portables will continue to rise as they become older. The portable classrooms also have high utility costs. These portable classrooms are used for our first grade, second grade and special education classes. New elementary buildings would allow us to eliminate/sell the portable classrooms.

Perhaps the most important reason to build new elementary buildings now is that major repairs of the existing elementary buildings will need to be made in the near future. Replacement of steam lines and waterlines are a growing concern at both buildings. Will these steam lines and waterlines need to be replaced in the next two years, five years, or ten years is a question that must be answered. Regardless of the timeline to replace them, if we don't take advantage of the State money for new elementary buildings now, the cost to replace these lines will be totally locally funded with additional local tax revenue required. At the High School, in 2002, it cost $1.8 million to replace the mechanical systems and $2.03 million to replace the plumbing system. To replace these two systems at both elementary schools it could potentially cost the local tax payers over 4 million dollars. We would still need to make upgrades to the electrical systems and install security systems. With the replacement/upgrades to the systems listed above, we would more than likely exceed the dollar amount required for two new buildings. ($5.9 million) Another cost savings to having new buildings is the ability to take advantage of warranties. The O-G Schools have a maintenance service agreement to maintain the roof systems at both elementary buildings at a cost of $8,778 annually. A new roof like the one installed at the High School comes with a 10 year warranty. Over a 10 year period this would amount to a $87,780 savings to the District.