Marlington Local to rebuild high school's roof
LEXINGTON TWP. − Twenty years ago, voters in Marlington Local School District rejected an appeal to help pay for a new high school.
Now, knowing taxpayers are unlikely to finance construction of a new high school, Marlington Local School District is embarking on a different path that will involve a projected $3 million to construct a new roof.
Over the past 20 years the condition of the high school, at 10450 Moulin Ave. NE, "hasn't changed a whole lot, that is for sure," said School Board Vice President Jonathan Swift. "We are not going to get a bond issue. So we have to repair."
The roof replacement project will be carried out in three phases.
"We only approved phase one," Superintendent Dan Swisher said. "The project is so big it has to be done in three phases. The quote we are using is for $974,500. It is still the original roof. This is a tear-off, and a new roof will be put on. It will obviously extend the life of the building. Over the past few years, we do get leaks. We do have multiple leaks throughout the building. It is time, based on the age of the structure. There is no reason to let that go."
Marlington High School opened in 1961. The initial phase of the roof replacement is expected to occur in Summer 2023. Contractor will be TeamCraft Roofing of Salisbury, North Carolina.
"We only have quotes on the first phase," Swisher said. "Until we get quotes on the next phases, I couldn't speculate (on total cost). An estimated amount would be close to $3 million. This project will be a summer project. This will be when school is not in session."
The replacement project is expected to extend into 2025.
"The community has said over the past few years they are not interested in putting up new buildings," Swift said. "The community didn't have an appetite for paying additional taxes. And I don't blame them. Material costs have gone up. Labor costs have gone up. Projects are starting to cost more."
In 2002, Marlington Local voters rejected a $26.9 million bond issue that would have generated revenue to fund construction of a new high school and three new elementary school buildings. The project would have included matching funds from what now is known as the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission.
"We have no interest in building any new buildings," Swisher said. "There will be no bond issue in the near future. It is all a matter of what your taxpayers want or don't want."
School system officials have been considering installing solar panels on the new roof on Marlington High School.
"We are talking about it," said Mark Ryan, a Board of Education member. "We are moving ahead with or without solar panels. Right now, we would have to front the money, then apply for a grant to get the money back. There are a lot of details that have to be worked out."
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Marlington High School will receive a new roof that could cost $3 million.
