Margaretta's new school coming soon

CASTALIA — In a little more than a year from now, all of Margaretta's Polar Bears will be under one roof. The district is getting closer to finishing its complete campus transformation. Earlier this year, construction resumed next to the district's transportation department garage and Lions Park where the new preK-12 building is taking form, 205 W Lucas St., Castalia. The "district is excited for a new state-of-the-art facility as our learning environment," superintendent Ed Kurt said. This new facility means students will no longer have to learn in an environment dating back to the early 1900s. The project is about 30% complete, according to the new school page is available on the district website. The page offers photos, a virtual video tour, a timeline and records of past building meetings and discussions. The school's construction is scheduled to be done by December 2026, according to Kurt, thanks to Fanning & Howey Architects, Mosser Construction, Ted Kastor and Mike Mendenhall & Associates, who have all contributed to the project. With this timeline, students are planned to move in at semester break, coinciding with the middle of January 2027. What to expect Kurt and Mosser Construction superintendent, Troy Overmeyer, recently guided the Register on a tour of the facility. Progress has been made across the campus. Here's a list of what can be expected from the final product: Front of building • The front section, closest to the road entrance, will house two stories of academic classrooms with the junior high and high school on one side, the elementary school on the other and the main office areas and mechanicals of the building in the middle. Middle of building • Behind the academic halls will be the cafeteria that doubles as the school's auditorium, complete with a stage, storage, controls for the stage, lunch area for students and teachers, kitchen, an entry way for food deliveries and a window for concession stands for after-school events • Leading into the cafeteria from the side of the building is the event entrance, also used for bus pick-up and drop-off and more parking. The entrance will be lined with what the district is calling legacy pavers. In exchange for a donation, the district will engrave a reminder of a loved one or memory into its pavers. More information on the pavers is available on the district website. • Once visitors are inside, via the event entrance, they will be met with hall of fame information before heading to the gyms. The hall of fame section will honor those from the district who shone in academics and athletics. This area will also house yearbook information. Back of building • The floor plans show a main gym and an auxiliary gym to accommodate the district grade levels. • Behind the main gym will be a hallway of more classroom spaces for health and fitness classes. The athletic director's office and locker rooms will also be accessible from the hallway behind the main gym. • On the other side of the auxiliary gym will be the district's "specials" classes. This will include art, band, choir and agriculture. Outside of building • The front of the building will be used for student pick-up and drop-off and some parking. • Building plans also show a playground outside the cafeteria and two practice fields: one on the side of the campus and one in the back. • The whole campus will be handicap accessible with elevators stationed in the academic halls. Plot history This project has been a long time coming after years of setbacks and pauses. The "district purchased the land the new facility is being built on in 1968 to someday address school facilities," Kurt said. "That someday is fast approaching." Here are the highlights of the building's history: • The district bought a plot of land in the 1960s with plans to build a school. • In 2022, the community was invited to a groundbreaking ceremony. • The NEXUS pipeline, a natural gas carrier, put a hold on the development. The district was using dollars from to the pipeline to fund its project but the Lorain County auditor Craig Snodgrass objected to the settlement amount. • Eventually, the state's Supreme Court ruled in favor of a state tax appeals board over Snodgrass, and dollars began to flow. • The delay in construction means the total cost of the project is more expensive due to inflation. The price tag jumped from $49 million to $67 million. • District officials originally considered a bond issue in 2024 but later withdrew it from the ballot before it went to a vote. As it stands now, local taxpayers are not contributing any tax dollars to fund the project. Instead, the NEXUS taxes are paying for the building. The district also partnered with the Ohio School Facilities Commission, which is covering 38% of the project. Related to cost, Kurt said moving into one building will be a big financial saving for the district. Rather than running double of everything like classrooms, kitchens and everything else separated between the current high school and elementary buildings, the district will only have to meet the cost of running one building. Once the new facility is up and running, Kurt said any building not being utilized will be demolished.