Sandusky Schools plans move to new building

SANDUSKY — Sandusky Schools' newest building is almost ready for preschool and kindergarten students. But, before they head to their new home, moving trucks are needed to transport equipment and supplies to the school. Sandusky Early Learning Academy, located on the former Hancock Elementary site, was the last of three buildings to be constructed in recent years. Each was made possible with the approval of Issue 12, also called the "Building Better Dreams" project, approved at the polls in November 2016. A ribbon-cutting celebration and open house for administrators, teachers and staff occurred at the completed building last month. The project, worth about $70 million, also paved the way for other necessary facilities upgrades across the district, including at Sandusky's middle and high schools. The transition timeline is: • Dec. 13-17: District employees are packing up classrooms and preparing for the move to the new building. • Dec. 18 to Jan. 2, 2022: District support staff will physically move items from the former Mills Elementary building to the Hancock Street building • Jan. 3-7: Faculty and staff will unpack and organize classrooms • Jan. 6: Open house for preschool and kindergarten students The first day of classes at the new building is Jan. 10, 2022. More information, including a map of the building, can be found on Sandusky Schools' website at scs-k12.net. Hancock Elementary was demolished last year after housing students in preschool through sixth grade for several decades. During construction, district preschool and kindergarten students have attended classes at the former Mills Elementary building. Last summer, both Sandusky Intermediate and Sandusky Primary were opened to students. Sandusky Early Learning Academy's features The $14 million, state-of-the-art school is expected to house almost 400 students within 56,700 square feet of space. The new school's outdoor courtyard, equipped with artificial turf, is about five times larger than the previous courtyard for gym and outdoor activities. An outdoor playground near the front of the building. Students can expect to use state-of-the-art technology during their early learning years. All of Sandusky Schools' new buildings will have modern safety features. For instance, each school will have two protected entrances before visitors can access the rest of the building. Other exterior doors will be locked and monitored. Additionally, the school's parking will be separated for the parent drop-off and bus loop for traffic control. Each new building will have Wi-Fi along with interactive whiteboards and projectors for teachers and students in each classroom. All three new buildings have better temperature control, which includes air conditioning, a commodity other district buildings didn't have. Each of the district's new schools will operate with an energy management system to maximize efficiency, longevity and comfort. Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com and follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood