CH-UH School Facilities Committee begins public-input phase of process

Since September 2010, the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School Facilities Committee has been analyzing the district’s buildings and other facilities, assessing the district's facility needs, and developing options for the school board to consider. The committee's first step was to validate a previous report from the state that concluded the district had excess capacity and that its buildings were in “borderline” condition.

Although the committee’s work will most likely result in a series of recommendations involving renovation, demolition and replacement, or closing of school buildings, few members of the public have participated in the process thus far.

That is about to change. At the next meeting of the School Facilities Committee, to be held at 7 p.m. on April 27 at Monticello Middle School, the public will have a chance to hear the committee’s recommendations. Then, on May 12, the district will host a listening session to hear comments and answer questions about the process.

During the April 27 meeting, the School Facilities Committee’s Options subcommittee will present its findings and recommendations. The architeture/design firm Fielding Nair International also will present. The firm was retained by the district administration to provide advice to the Options subcommittee. Steve Shergalis, district director of business services, said “[Fielding Nair] will be speaking to 21st-century learning, attempting to show how we are already integrating 21st-century learning into our schools, and how our current building configurations do not support such instruction. A critical piece of their presentation will involve their ideas around a community engagement process.”

Also during the meeting, the Finance subcommittee will present its findings on the cost to achieve recommended configurations and possible options for funding. 

All community members are encouraged to attend.

The May 12 listening session will be held at 7 p.m. in the Heights High social room. The only item on the agenda is for community members to comment on the subcommittee reports and share their questions and concerns with the committee, school board members and district administration.

Both the April 27 and the May 12 meetings will be broadcast on cable television channel 22. Check www.chuh.org for dates and times.

The School Facilities Committee plans to make a final report to the Board of Education by the end of the school year. The board will then ask the administration to follow up with a detailed study and recommendations. The administration expects to make a final presentation of its findings to the Board of Education in March 2012. 

Angee Shaker, director of communications for the district said, “The CH-UH district is eager to hear the community’s opinions about its facilities.” Shaker encourages community members to contact Steve Shergalis, director of business services, at s_shergalis@chuh.org with comments and questions.

Deanna Bremer Fisher

Deanna Bremer Fisher is executive director of FutureHeights and publisher of the Heights Observer and a member of the School Facilities Committee.

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Volume 4, Issue 5, Posted 12:26 PM, 04.19.2011