BLANCHESTER — Possible new buildings and solar energy were among the topics of Monday’s Blanchester School Board Meeting.
School Superintendent Dean Lynch told the board they’re possibly in the running for a new middle and intermediate school through the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission.
“To begin that we need to develop a 60-month master plan,” said Lynch. “A part of that plan is paying an architect up to $10,000 or $12,000 to draw up some designs to give to the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission. I need to contact the commission to see where they’re at now. I’m willing to bet they’re close to that 20-year cycle.”
Lynch informed the board he feels they’re up for the 20-year cycle — and they’d have a lot of work to do. He added that if they miss this opportunity it would put those two Blanchester schools at around 70 years old before the next opportunity.
The state provides a percentage of funds for the construction of new schools in combination with local funding.
Lynch said he would be in contact with the OFCC to see where Blanchester stands.
Solar update
Board Treasurer Darlene Kassner told members she had met the Blanchester Board of Public Affairs at their previous meeting about the school’s pursuit of using a solar energy system.
“They were supportive of the school having a solar array,” said Kassner. “They’ve decided that they want to present it to the (Blanchester) council. Instead of the BPA making a BPA ruling on it, they would have the council making a ruling for all citizens whether it’s a homeowner or a business.”
Kassner said the BPA wants to propose that 40 percent (450 kilowatts) of the demand (600 kilowatts) could be the biggest array that could be put in.
She added they would wait to see what council’s response would be before making any other decisions.
Also during the meeting:
• Lynch shared the results of an auction held during a special board meeting on Oct. 6.
The board accepted a $127,500 bid on the property at 5513 Second Creek Road in Blanchester, which the school owned. The auction was held by Kersey Real Estate and Auction.
