Recordpub.com - Windham to sell school: District can't afford upkeep of East Elementary

By Colin McEwen

Record-Courier staff writer

East Elementary School in Windham, completely renovated in 2000 using state school construction funds, will be auctioned off by the end of the year because the district no longer can afford to maintain it.

The one-time model for state school construction funding is now the home to weeds and vandals.

Most of the windows and doors are boarded up. Exterior light fixtures have been ripped out, and black, profanity-laced graffiti litters the red brick.

Vacant since 2007, the school has been costing the district money in the form of insurance, maintenance and utilities, Superintendent Carol Kropinak said.

“The elimination of that building is part of our plan to reduce our expenditures,” she said. “The state understands that we have a facility that’s costing us money and is not needed at this time.”

After an hour-long closed session, Board of Education members at a special meeting Wednesday approved the auction, with no exact timeline planned.

Board member Melissa Roubic was the only dissenting vote, noting that she approved of the sale, but not the auction.

“I think we have an obligation to the community to market this to businesses before we proceed to auction,” she argued. “We want a business to come in there and bring in jobs.”

East Elementary was part of a $28 million districtwide project, funded by the Ohio School Facilities Commission, to renovate or replace Windham schools. The state picked up $27 million of the cost.

Originally constructed in 1959, East Elementary closed its doors to Windham students five years ago, but housed the Portage County Educational Services Center from 2005 to 2007.

The one-time model for state school construction funding is now the home to weeds and vandals.

Most of the windows and doors are boarded up. Exterior light fixtures have been ripped out, and black, profanity-laced graffiti litters the red brick.

The district has been in a steady decline of enrollment, decreasing the need for an additional school, Kropinak said. Since the school was renovated nine years ago the district has gone from more than 1,000 students to 780.

When the district closed East in 2004, fourth- and fifth-grade students were moved to Katherine Thomas Elementary School — which also benefited from the state funds in 2000 with a completely new building. The sixth grade students moved to the junior high school.

Should there be an influx of students — from say, job creation at the Ravenna Arsenal — Kropinak said the district would still have plenty of space.

“We have room at the high school and junior high,” she said. “So could we absorb more students? Yeah. If we grow exponentially, that would be a different ballgame.”

Among possible tenants, Kropinak said an educational facility for a college or police training academy would be ideal. She added that before an auction can be held, the land must be surveyed and the zoning code examined.

Windham Township resident and former school board member Dick Viebranz attended the meeting to see that “they get something” for the school.

“I don’t think it’s a good time to sell,” he said. “The economy is just not good right now. Very few businesses are making a profit.”

9.	Posted by jane doe 1 September 4, 2009
	when the state came it, they projected a terrific increase in population. It was not possible with only 2/3rds of a township and not room for growth in the physical district. The buildings were built more to the order of the state since they were paying the majority of the monies and pretty much paid lip service to the suggestions of the community and the board. It is sad, since East Elementary was so well renovated. So many of the students go to other districts on open enrollment and it does cost the board alot of money to maintain the empty school. There is no fault here, just sad circumstances. Windham has always done a fine job trying to give a quality education to every student in each grade, each year. One thing that proves this is the very active Alumni Association and the Brick by Brick Scholarship Fund that supports the school. The community overcomes every hardship that comes its way. Windham has alot to be proud of and its community should be proud of its heritage over the many years. They strive to keep every child in school, and they work very hard to follow through with excellent special education services. Perhaps the community should take the time to let the rest of the county know they have good schools and try hard to have good learning environments.

4.	Posted by proudwindhamparent September 3, 2009
	I have been a Windham resident for 9 1/2 years. Before that I lived in Shalersville. This is a WONDERFUL community to live in and raise children in. As with any community we have our share of problems. No one writes about the GREAT things that happen here, only the negative. We have a wonderful school district and very caring teachers. I should know, as I am a substitute for the district and my children attend the district. My son went to a neighboring and excellent rated school for two years and it was HORRIBLE,not just the education but the children and the staff as well. I also worked in that district. I can tell you that Windham truly cares for its students and the community. The news needs to start reporting on the good in the community so the outsiders who continue to disrespect our town will have another view instead of all the negativity. While we have a high percentage of poor most of them move here from neighboring towns. We are not under educated, infact I was an honor student. I know many VERY intelligent people who were educated here. My children have recieved better education here than in an excellent rated school. Windham is in an upswing educationally and we continue to improve. Way to go ALL Windham students and staff! GREAT JOB!!!! I hope that the school will be sold to someone who will bring yet another great facility to our community. Windham has a lot to be proud of! I wouldn't live anywhere else!