By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor
Groveport Madison Schools will spend nearly $209,000 this summer to do maintenance work at seven of the district’s school buildings and grounds.
Additionally, the district will refurbish two “deteriorating’ modular units, which contain four classrooms, located at Asbury Elementary, at a cost of about $77,500.
The Groveport Madison Board of Education chose to refurbish the modulars rather than eliminate them. The board declined to institute an elementary attendance boundary realignment that would have been necessary to avoid overcrowding at Asbury Elementary if the modulars had been removed. The board felt a realignment would cause an unnecessary upheaval for parents and students.
“Realignment would be a burden on students and parents,” said Board President Bryan Shoemaker.
“I don’t want to disrupt the kids,” said board member Libby Gray.
Added Groveport Madison Communications Director Jeff Warner, “The board’s decision was made in the best interests of the students and their families.”
Groveport Madison interim Superintendent John Hurd said refurbishing the modulars will extend the units’ life for about five more years.
Regarding this summer’s maintenance work, Hurd said, “The bulk of the cost is asphalt repair.”
The estimated asphalt repair costs are: $69,928 at Middle School South; $33,290 at Madison Elementary; $32,293 at Dunloe Elementary; and $6,890 at Sedalia Elementary.
“The parking lot between Middle School South and Glendening Elementary has deteriorated beyond patching,” said Hurd.
Hurd said the asphalt repairs will go out for a combined bid and the board will vote on which bid to accept.
As part of the work this summer, three shelter houses costing $8,900 each will be constructed at Asbury Elementary, Madison Elementary, and Sedalia Elementary.
“The shelter houses provide outdoor classroom and play area opportunities as well as Wi-Fi access,” said Warner.
Other work to be done this summer includes playground repairs at Asbury, Glendening, Madison, and Sedalia elementaries; mulching and borders at Asbury, Dunloe, Glendening, Madison, and Sedalia elementaries; and pea gravel and new borders to replace the aging wooden railroad-tie style borders on the playground at Groveport Elementary.
