Overcrowding, renovations concerns for schools

by Erica Bush
For The Post

Ohio schools have been classified among the worst in the nation, but some Athens County schools appear to be more worried about classroom size than the buildings themselves.

Amesville Elementary School in Federal Hocking Local School District is one school in the county that is overcrowded.

“The biggest problem facing the school right now is that I have no more space to put students or classrooms,” Principal Kim Chadwell said.

She said when funds are available, she would like to add more classrooms and replace the roof of the building that was built in the late 1920s and renovated from 1988-89.

At Federal Hocking’s Feb. 21 board meeting, Charles Springer, chairman of the buildings and grounds committee, expressed the need for the replacement of roofs in both Amesville and Coolville elementary schools.

“The roof and the septic system are the two only major areas in need of improvement within the school,” Coolville Elementary Principal Ted Reed said.

In Nelsonville-York City School District, overcrowded classrooms are the most noticeable problem at the high school, especially because the building — which was built in the early 1960s — never has been renovated, Superintendent Thomas Gumpf said.

Teachers move from one classroom to the next during the school day because there are not enough rooms at the high school, Principal Mick McClelland said.

To improve the school, McClelland said the district needs to add to the science rooms, media center, library and utility systems and to improve locker areas. He also said future improvements include replacing the high school’s original roof and renovating the original locker room.

McClelland said he hopes to start the first set of improvements when the district receives money from state and local funds.

Classroom size is not a problem at some Athens City schools, but other general improvements need to be made to some buildings, such as West Elementary, officials said.

“The building is so old that it just needs to be updated and new,” Principal Joan Linscott said.

The library, cafeteria and size of classrooms are not in bad shape but need to be renovated, she said.

Morrison Elementary Principal John Gordon said the district is planning to replace folding classroom walls with soundproof walls in the 22-year-old building this summer. He said the district has made improvements to the building’s interior, sidewalks and parking lots.

Morrison Elementary receives a permanent levy from the state government to make improvements, but Gordon said he does not feel the school is in need of major improvements right now.

The district completed major renovations at the middle and high schools during the summer.

Trimble Local School District buildings also underwent minor renovations during the past few years. Superintendent William White said recent improvements include interior painting and window replacements at the high school. The district also completed construction of a new wing and gymnasium at the middle school.

But the district is looking to make other improvements, such as a new high school stadium, school parking areas and sidewalks. It is waiting for funding.

“I have tried to acquire a federal grant to make improvements within the district but was denied,” White said

Alexander Local School District is breaking ground in April on a new complex to replace the high school, middle and elementary schools, Superintendent Robert Bray said.

He said the new complex will be an improvement upon current conditions such as small libraries, cafeterias and inadequate classroom space. The district also will come into compliance with state codes for handicap facilities, which are outdated or not present, Bray said.