Belpre school board advances new 6-12 building design
From left, Belpre Board of Education President Fred Meredith discusses the layout of potential changes to the design for the new 6-12 Belpre school while Treasurer Lance Erlwein holds a map during Thursday evening's meeting. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Treasurer Lance Erlwein discusses that the information from the five year forecast has not changed much since March during Thursday evenings Belpre City Schools Board of Education meeting. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
From left, Belpre Board of Education President Fred Meredith discusses the layout of potential changes to the design for the new 6-12 Belpre school while Treasurer Lance Erlwein holds a map during Thursday evening's meeting. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Treasurer Lance Erlwein discusses that the information from the five year forecast has not changed much since March during Thursday evenings Belpre City Schools Board of Education meeting. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Trending
BELPRE -- The Belpre City Schools Board of Education advanced plans for a new school for grades 6-12 on Thursday, authorizing the project's design team to begin preparing construction documents.
The unanimous vote approved design development submissions to the state and authorized the district's design professional to proceed with the next phase of the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission project.
Superintendent Jeffrey Greenley said the district is approaching the point where the project can be advertised for bids, which will provide officials with firmer construction costs.
"We won't know until we get actual bids and we see the actual bidders," Greenley said.
The district has developed a base plan officials believe is within budget, along with additional options that could be considered if bids are favorable. Treasurer Lance Erlwein also sought to dispel rumors that the district would seek additional money from voters this fall.
"We are not running a levy in November," Erlwein said. "We've heard a lot of rumors about we're over budget and we need a levy to finish this project. No levy."
Board members reviewed a rendering of the proposed school, which would include a gymnasium seating approximately 640 people, a performance space, a media center, science laboratories, a life-skills classroom and areas designed for collaborative learning. Plans also include space highlighting the history of Belpre and its schools.
Greenley said a recent code review found that the distance from the top of a stairwell near the media center to a classroom exceeded the distance permitted under fire codes.
Designers considered moving the stairwell farther into the media center, but Greenley said that option divided the open space and reduced its usefulness. The preferred alternative would move a classroom and restrooms while leaving an approximately 20-by-20-foot section on the second floor unfinished and inaccessible from inside the building.
The change would preserve the media center's original design and could reduce construction costs, Greenley said. District officials are considering using the visible exterior space for an architectural feature, such as an eagle or school signage.
Some board members expressed concerns about the appearance and security of the unfinished area. Greenley said the district will continue working with Fanning Howey to make the space safe and visually appealing.
"We believe we have created the right building that will stand the test of time here," Greenley said.
A resident also raised concerns about traffic near the proposed campus, particularly an entrance across from the underpass on Stone Road. District officials said they are working with the city and the Ohio Department of Transportation to address traffic flow and pedestrian safety.
Officials said vehicles were being counted during morning drop-off and afternoon pickup as part of a traffic study. Options under discussion include multiple campus entrances, road widening, a roundabout and sidewalks, although no final plan has been selected.
In other business, the board approved athletic ticket prices for the 2026-27 school year.
Season passes for varsity and junior varsity events will cost $200 for a family, $75 for an adult and $25 for students, senior citizens and veterans. Single-event tickets will cost $7 for adults and $5 for students, senior citizens and veterans.
The board accepted $262 and various school supplies from Mirror Image. It also accepted a $10,220 donation or grant from Belpre Area Community Development Foundation for the Belpre High School Student Council. Greenley said the funding will help student council members participate in leadership training and other activities.
Board members also approved a $12,980.94 increase in appropriations and revenue through the Stronger Connections Grant Fund. Erlwein said the additional allocation came from a grant dating to 2024 and will support an opportunity school used by the district in Marietta.
Erlwein reported the district remains on track with its five-year forecast and is financially stable beyond the 2028 benchmark established after passage of a 10-year levy in 2018. He said projections become less certain in later years because of questions surrounding state funding.
The board approved contracts or agreements with Washington State College of Ohio, DCA Roofing and Superior Dental. The roofing work will address a section of the elementary school roof above the library at an estimated cost of about $21,000.
The board also approved bus routes for the 2026-27 school year and routine financial matters, including July warrants, cash reconciliation, lunchroom and spending reports, investment activity, the check register and minutes from its July 16 regular meeting and Aug. 11 special meeting.