Lakewood school board approves closing Hebron Elementary

HEBRON — At its Wednesday meeting, the Lakewood Board of Education unanimously approved a recommendation by superintendent Dr. Mark Gleichauf that 108-year-old Hebron Elementary School be decommissioned.

The plan, which Gleichauf proposed at the October board meeting, would move Hebron students to Jackson Intermediate, starting with the 2023-24 school year. The Hebron building would then be vacated.

Hebron, which is non-ADA accessible, is a mixture of unwanted moisture, a labyrinth of hallways and stairs, cramped quarters and soaring temperatures. The classrooms are small, and teachers have creatively made use of the space. The cramped cafeteria presents its own set of problems, as does the kitchen.

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"No one here likes the fact we are having to spend money for this," board president Brittany Misner said. "But we can't keep sending students and staff into that building, and I think this is our best way forward."

Heavy rains this fall caused water to pour into the gymnasium, forcing the district to spend $24,000 to put a liner on top of the gym roof, which has been replaced six times in its 108 years. A ruptured water line recently had to be replaced.

"That was the most affordable option, and it's temporary," Gleichauf said at the October board meeting. "In fiscal year 2019, Hebron had $96,727 in extra expenditures, and it was $75,611 in 2020. Who knows what it will total in 2021? It has major heating and cooling issues."

His recommendation calls for Hebron pre-school, kindergartners, first and second graders to be moved to Jackson's B building, which is on the hill. Grades 3-5 would shift to the Jackson A building. "We will need some modular classrooms for one grade level (which would also be on the Jackson campus)," Gleichauf said. "We're probably looking at six-plus of those units, and we have not determined what grade that will be."

He said one grade level could be moved to Jackson starting with the 2022-23 school year.

On Wednesday, Gleichauf revealed some financial information, including for the modular classrooms. New units would cost the district $875,000, while refurbished units would be $485,000. They have looked into some previously used by Cleveland Heights. The modular classrooms would be located on the back part of Jackson B, with a walkway going in.

The re-alignment could save the district $609,300, Gleichauf said. Non-financial benefits for the change include students and staff being in a climate controlled setting, improved health and safety, ADA accessible facilities, increased instruction time, and better transportation efficiency.

Jackson Intermediate was built in 1968 (building A) and 1972 (building B), and presents its own set of deteriorating conditions. Jackson B needs a new roof, which would cost $250,000.

A bond issue to build a new pre-K-grade 5 elementary school has failed five times, starting in May of 2018. It has been scaled down repeatedly, eliminating other district improvements and focusing just on the new school. Gleichauf said it has not been determined when the bond issue will be put back on the ballot.

"This (decommissioning) recommendation is a short-term opportunity," Gleichauf said. "We still need a long-term solution, and that is a new pre-k-grade 5 building."

In school board news, Lakewood still has to fill a seat on the board before Jan. 15. Bill Pollard and Tara Houdeshell decided not to seek re-election, and their term expires Dec. 31. Jonathan Lynch was re-elected and Dave Lohr was elected for the first time, but a third candidate did not run. Misner and Nathan Corum remain on the board.

Starting Dec. 1, the board will seek applications for the open seat from qualified candidates. Interviews will be conducted the first week of January.

dweidig@gannett.com

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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Hebron Elementary closure approved by Lakewood school board