Admin-Gym-Preschool building needs reviewed

By Paula Pyzik Scott

On Thursday, March 6, the Ada Schools Board of Education held a special meeting to review work in progress and 2-year plans for the Ag building and the building that includes the Central Office, Board Room, two Liberty Village Preschool classrooms, “86” and “Varsity/’71” gyms, and concessions area.

Superintendent Julie Simmons and Facility Maintenance Coordinator Lance Dearth made a presentation on repair work, maintenance and improvements for the two buildings.

Input for the plans includes staff wish lists and analysis by consulting firm Garmon Miller. Dearth has been receiving estimates and recommendations for a variety of roofing, flooring, interior and exterior finishes, and Ada Bulldog branding.

Clearing out old equipment and materials was identified as an important step in making the most of available space.

Simmons emphasized the need to create a 2-10 year plan and avoid “band-aid” fixes that would only need to be redone.

HIGH SCHOOLl/‘71 GYM
Simmons reported that there are about 100 leaks in the roof of the ‘71 Gym, which provides facilities for Ada High School sports including volleyball, basketball and cold weather practice facilities for softball and baseball. Leaks forced the Athletic Department to move some recent basketball games to other locations. A new Durlast roof has been approved and installation will begin this month.

Other needs in the gym are a new floor and updated Bulldog logo. The gym floor is estimated to have enough material to allow one or two more sandings. It was refinished last summer. There is damage to the drop ceilings at the entrances.

AG/CTE BUILDING
The school district’s Ag building, which is located next to the student parking area (B on attached aerial view) will be remodeled to accommodate a new Career Technical Education (CTE) classroom, which received funding reported HERE that includes $86K for updating the facility. 

The converted garage is currently used for High School Vocational Agricultural classes and Future Farmers of America activities. FFA prepares students for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture. This year, Ada has 91 students participating in FFA.

Improvements will include shelving for the maintenance department portion of the building, the creation of a new Advanced Manufacturing classroom and matching upgrades to the Ag classroom.

 https://www.adaicon.com/photo/202409/apollo-career-center-ada-and-bath-s....

WATER LINE
Dearth reported that an old cast iron water line with a 4” meter should be replaced with new line and a 2” meter to save some $900/month and provide cleaner water. A water softener has also been recommended.

HVAC
Dearth reported that the administration building’s HVAC is expected to soon have its certificate of occupancy.

FILE STORAGE
The administration is researching digitization of records that must be kept, as required by the State of Ohio. Some 15-20 file cabinets and an entire room in the K-12 building are devoted to storage of paper files.