School site study cost underway

MILAN TWP. — Officials representing Edison Schools will look at a piece of land near its high school for a potential new building. This $11,100 study will survey a nearly 19-acre plot east of the high school building near the football stadium off Ohio 113. Final plans for what will become of this land are "still in the exploratory stage," according to district superintendent Corey Ream, but there is potential for either a pre-K-6 or pre-K-8 school building there. Funds for the land survey will come from the district's capital improvement fund, and results from it are expected in May. "This property is being considered as part of the district's ongoing evaluation of long-term facility planning options," Ream said. "One concept under review is a potential one-campus model that could bring elementary and middle school students closer to the current high school building." There is space to build onto the high school property, according to Ream, but this plan would mean relocating athletic facilities, which could cost more than buying land. "Early considerations suggest that the cost of relocating those facilities may exceed the cost of purchasing additional land," Ream said. "Evaluating adjacent property allows the district to consider a clean-slate approach, which could lead to lower overall costs and a more efficient layout, including better traffic flow on the property." Beyond the $11,100 study, it's not known today exactly how much money it could take to construct a new school building. Why is this happening? Initially discussed in mid-2025, officials pointed to a 2022 community survey — which generated nearly 1,100 responses from locals — that, based on feedback, prioritized "providing the best teaching and learning environment" possible. "With two buildings that are over 100 years old, it would be a disservice to our students not to seek ways to provide a better educational environment," Ream said a year ago. "At this point, the district is gathering information and doing its due diligence to address the challenges of educating 21st-century students in facilities from the 19th and 20th centuries." The study aims to provide clarity into the future of Edison Schools' three educational buildings and where students could report to school in the future. Presently, Edison Schools is made up of three educational buildings in a trio of different, neighboring political subdivisions: • The elementary school, pre-K through third grade, in Milan • The middle school, grades four through eight, in Berlin Heights • The high school, grades nine through 12, in Milan Township Where's the money coming from? A study doesn't necessarily guarantee a new campus for Edison Schools. Exploring new building options and bringing them to the forefront of public discussion comes after years of serious financial struggles. To build a new campus would almost certainly require tens of millions of dollars through increased property taxes, by way of a vote during an election. In the local area, for comparison's sake, Margaretta Schools' new pre-K-12 building totals $67 million today. Edison voters have rejected a levy for new operating money over the past decade, Ream said. In the most recent vote, in 2023, the district proposed an issue for $87 million, which would have funded two new buildings and a high school renovation. About 83% of voters in this election sided against the issue. What's next? Even with the study funded, no final decisions have occurred, which include where: • A new building could be built • Students in certain grade levels would attend classes One option, according to Ream, is to build a new elementary building and send seventh- and eighth-grade students to the high school. This option would also include renovations to the high school. "All options are being carefully reviewed to ensure strong educational impact, efficient use of resources and long-term value for the community while creating learning environments that support student success for years to come," Ream said.