Schools

School Board OKs New Levy for November Ballot

The state would pay for more than half of the $100 million project; the local share is $49,967,352.

The school board approved a levy that would pay almost half of a proposed $100 million plan to demolish Grant, Lincoln and Roosevelt elementary schools, as well as the eastern portion of the high school, then rebuild them.

After receiving the news that Lakewood City Schools had been approved for more than $50 million to finishing rebuilding a few schools, the school board agreed to ask voters to pay for the other half.

$49,967,352 to be exact.

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The first measure is a 3.25-mill bond issue; and the other is a .5-mill permanent improvement levy. They will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot.

“We’ve been going down a very long road,” said board president Ed Favre. “This is a huge move forward for the district to finish this project.”

Find out what's happening in Lakewoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The total combined millage is an expected 3.75 mills.

“(This) is a very important step for our community and at least seven years overdue,” said board member Tom Einhouse at Monday’s meeting.

In 2009, the district decided to shutter Grant Elementary School. However, the district recently shifted gears when presented with new data suggesting that enrollment is projected to climb during the next several years.

The school will stay, but like the others it will be rebuilt.

At the high school, everything east of the Civic Auditorium will be demolished and rebuilt.

Demolition on the buildings could begin as soon as summer of 2014, with construction beginning that fall. Details, such as where classes will be held during the construction, still need ironed out.

The project is the third part of a plan that’s been in the works for years.

The first phase of the district’s Master Plan built Hayes and Harrison elementary schools and Harding and Garfield middle schools in 2004.

Renovations of Horace Mann and Emerson elementary schools, as well as the western portion of the high school, were part of Phase 2 in 2007. 

Widespread financial hardships prevented the district from moving forward with the third phase then.


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