We understand how important it is to keep our community informed about plans and progress on announced facility changes, including the construction of a new Colerain Elementary School, renovation of the current Central Office for use as a preschool building, and demolition of the Houston site. We are committed to regularly communicating updates as the project progresses.
Our current timeline for the projects is as follows:
January 2025: Central office will begin relocating to rental spaces and existing district buildings. The new location is smaller than the existing facility by 14,000 feet, so some services will be relocated to other district buildings.
Summer 2025: Renovation of the current central office building will be completed to house preschool, with preschool moving over the summer in preparation for the Fall 2025 school year.
Summer 2025: Demolition of the Houston site will begin to clear the way for the construction of the new Colerain Elementary.
Summer 2027: The construction of the new Colerain Elementary will be completed.
Fall 2027: The new Colerain Elementary will open its doors to students.
Background: Why These Changes Are Happening
In early 2024, district administration began proactively developing contingency plans in case of building failures. The focus was on maintaining in-person education by ensuring that space was available for our students. This plan was approved by the Board of Education in June.
The need for action was accelerated in May when structural issues at Colerain Elementary arose, with bricks falling from the building. To address this urgent situation, the district worked with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) to fast-track a co-funded project to build a new Colerain Elementary School.
While advocacy efforts did not secure the full amount of state funding, we successfully obtained state funds and credits from previous construction projects, significantly reducing the financial burden. This, combined with savings from the pandemic shutdown, unfilled positions, and changes in property valuations, allows the new Colerain Elementary School to be built without additional tax dollars from our community.
The district’s original master plan included a preschool addition, which would have required a community bond. After careful consideration, the Board of Education decided to move forward with just the elementary school at this time to ensure fiscal responsibility.
As part of the contingency plan, preschool will be temporarily relocated to the central office site, where renovations will be made to meet licensing requirements. The central office will transition to a rental space, allowing the district to continue operations with a smaller footprint. Some staff will work in hybrid models or from other district buildings. The one-time renovation costs are covered by restricted funds, and ongoing rental costs will be offset by reallocating preschool utility expenses.
These changes are necessary to meet our students' immediate needs and the long-term financial and academic success of the district. We appreciate the continued support of our community as we navigate this important transition. We will continue to provide updates as they become available.
Sincerely,
Darrell Yater
Superintendent
Northwest Local School District