District to demolish historic school building

OAK HARBOR — Benton-Carroll-Salem Schools announced it will push forward in its plan to tear down its empty middle school. District officials recently provided a building presentation and reviewed the future of the former Oak Harbor Middle School, which closed two years ago. Officials also shared the presentation and subsequent decision on social media and in a district newsletter. "This decision was not made lightly, but we believe it is the most prudent course of action for the safety of our community and the overall well-being of our residents," superintendent Cathy Bergman said. The district's decision to raze the former school building has received some pushback from community members, who argue that the historic structure should remain standing and be revitalized. Bergman said the district knows the decision may raise questions from the community, but officials are committed to maintaining transparency throughout the entire process. District history The middle school closed in 2023 due to its age; it was built in 1911. That school's students now report to Oak Harbor Intermediate School, which is connected to R.C. Waters Elementary. Several unknowns exist about the project, including when demolition could occur and the total amount it would cost to raze this structure. District officials, however, previously received a $500,000 state grant specifically for bulldozing purposes. Going over these decisions in a public forum represented just one way of being open and honest with community members about difficult decisions, officials said. The presentation opened with how the district practices transparency. Examples included board meetings open to the public and communication to stakeholders through avenues like social media, newspapers and email. Next, the presentation shared the history of the district's buildings that were in similar scenarios as is the present-day empty middle school. According to the district, in 2012, there was a decision to close three buildings: • A political subdivision, Carroll Township, purchased one. It was later demolished in 2023. • Another was purchased by North Point Educational Service Center, and is still used today. • The third, located in Rocky Ridge, was sold to a private investor and is now deteriorating, district officials said. Going to a vote In 2015, a committee was created to help the district determine the building's future. With the help of architecture group Fanning Howey, stakeholders proposed six options for this middle school. Five included demolishing the middle school, with varying cost considerations, and the sixth was to give it new life for about $13 million. The original decision was to construct a new PK-6 building and demolish the middle school. Here is a list of work highlights through the committee's years of operating in hopes of building a PK-6 building: • The committee was created in 2015. • A bond issue was placed on the November 2016 ballot to step toward this original option. It did not pass. • In March 2017, there was a second attempt for the bond, but it was pulled due to the devaluation of Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station. • In 2018, the district conducted a study on the middle school to determine what renovations it needed and the cost of them, which was between $9 million and $15 million. • Further efforts went on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic — but in 2021, a plan to add an addition to the elementary school began. • The district is now down to two campuses: the high school and the K-6 campus. — Oak Harbor High School houses grades seven through 12 — Oak Harbor Intermediate School, the addition to the elementary, is for fourth through sixth. There was a groundbreaking ceremony for the intermediate school in 2023. — R. C. Waters houses kindergarten through third grade. • In 2024, communications were sent out on the decision to demolish the middle school. The district received a $500,000 state grant in December to help with the cost and an auction was hosted to sell the building. Reviewing the finances During the presentation, district treasurer Cajon Keeton shared the financial side of the decision-making process. There are two legal restrictions on a sale exceeding $10,000, which Keeton said the middle school fell under. • First, the property must be offered to a community school in the Benton-Carroll-Salem school district territory. There are, however, none in the area. • Second, a property worth more than $10,000 must be offered at a public auction except if it is sold to another political subdivision or taxing authority. No political subdivision expressed interest. Keeton discussed the redevelopment plans received by the board. The board has not received any formal redevelopment plans from an interested party. The district did hear from an out-of-state investor. But, after some negotiations, a potential sale fell through. After exhausting every scenario, officials determined they needed to demolish this structure. Furthermore, the state grant — which aims to lessen the burden on taxpayers — must be spent by June 30, or the district risks losing out on this money. Community shares thoughts Some members of the community are advocating that the building be sold or redeveloped rather than destroyed. During a village council meeting, local property developer Mel McCord said the district was wasting valuable resources, according to an article published by WTOL-11. He believes the property has potential and could be turned into something beneficial for the community. The district is open to offers for the building but, Oak Harbor Mayor Quinton Babcock has ideas for the site if the demolition plans follow through, like a recreational facility, WTOL reported. "We remain open to hearing from any viable political subdivisions that may be interested in the building," Bergman said in a district newsletter. Keeton said this was not a quick decision. Instead, it has been a 10-year conversation with stakeholders. "Ultimately, it comes down to a timing issue," Keeton said. "We understand the passion and the desire from some individuals in the community wanting to turn the building into something great. But, at the same time, we've seen what happens," Keeton added, referencing the deteriorating former school building in Rocky Ridge. Community reaction Under the district's social media post containing a recording of the presentation, community members shared their thoughts, most of which were positive. The list of stakeholders "Really drives home that this was a 10-year process," Matthew Kreager commented. "It's utterly ridiculous for these few vocal community members to now spread lies and disparage our schools just because they haven't been paying attention over the past 10 years." Nearly 600 people have signed a Change.org petition seeking to save the building from demolition. "Let us repurpose, not demolish, our shared legacy," the petition states.