Committee Nearing Final Recommendation for CHUH School Reconfiguration

The Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District Lay Facilities Committee is eying a $232.7 million master facilities plan recommendation to the Board of Education.

The committee's plan will likely call for a 6.34-mill bond issue to be passed in the November 2013 elections that would generate $135 million for Phase 1 of the project. The district could apply for a $15 million loan for the remainder of the cost of the first phase.

The committee, created by the CH-UH School Board at the recommendation of FutureHeights and Reaching Heights, is tasked with examining the facilities master plan and determining what aspects of the plan the community would support.

A draft of the plan will be presented for a vote at the committee's April 30 meeting, and members hope to present to the Board of Education May 7. If the Board approves it, the bond issue could be on the November 2013 ballot.

The plan calls for the high school and two middle schools to be renovated during the first phase. Wiley would close and be used as space for students as needed during renovations.

The elementary schools would be reconfigured during the second phase of the project, likely to take place in seven to 10 years and estimated to cost $80.7 million. Noble and Fairfax Elementary Schools would close during that phase.

Committee member Krissy Gallagher expressed concern that a bond issue would be a difficult sell to voters who, this week, saw the district lay off teachers.

The committee voted Wednesday to recommend that the renovations include a new competition-size swimming pool.

The plan also calls for geothermal heating at the high school and middle schools.