Lancaster schools save millions on construction, plan for new high school

LANCASTER — Lancaster city school officials knew there would be money left over from the elementary school projects, but now they know how much: nearly $9 million.

The building of five elementary schools wrapped up some time ago, but it took a while for all of the bills to be paid and for the bottom line to reveal how much was left over.

“That goes a long way to constructing these junior highs," said Superintendent Steve Wigton about the $8.7 million savings. "It’s over a 10 percent savings from the elementary projects.”

Both junior highs, Thomas Ewing and General Sherman, are under construction with completion dates expected in January 2020 and August 2020, respectively.

"Both buildings are on schedule," Wigton said, adding that Thomas Ewing building is moving along well and some walls are going up at General Sherman. As with any project, he said, there have been some change orders but the projects are on budget.

The junior highs were designed identically and will cost $28.4 million each to build. The district's cost, however, will be less with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission paying about $10.5 million to build each school.

Over the past several years voters have supported two levies to see seven new schools built — five elementaries and two junior highs.

The next project to tackle is a new high school and Wigton said it will take more levy support to build it.

High school plans

Plans for the new high school are still being finalized, but school officials said some major decisions have been made, including where to build it.

“We’ve had two board work sessions to discuss the scope of the project, the cost of the project and to make sure that we’re all on board with going out with the bond levy here in March," Wigton said. "It’s yet to be totally finalized but the high school plan is to build the entire new high school behind the existing building so we do not have to relocate students.”

The plan is for the current Thomas Ewing site to be used to relocate the high school's athletic fields. And where the current high school sits, the building will be demolished and turned into parking and practice field space.

The high school will likely included auditorium seating, and an auxiliary gym with three gym floors.

The career technical programs current housed at Stanbery will be moved to the new school. As for what would happen to the building once its vacated, Wigton said there's been some interest  in it from local performance groups. The district's central office, however, will remain there at 345 E. Mulberry St.

Any money saved once the middle schools are completed will likely be used to relocate the maintenance and transportation facility to a new spot, Wigton said. That location has yet to be determined.

sremoquill@gannett.com

740-681-4342

Twitter: @SpencerRemo