Medina County school administration give updates on their district

MEDINA — Brunswick, Buckeye, Highland high schools and Medina County Career Center administration presented the upgrades and initiatives going on in their respective districts during a Northern Medina County Chamber Alliance luncheon on Wednesday. Brunswick Schools Superintendent Jason Niedermeyer gave an update on the district's facilities master plan. He said the district spent 14 months designing the new high school, and drawings, renderings and fly-throughs of it will be unveiled at 6 p.m. Oct. 29 in the Brunswick High School student center. "We've made our way through design development," he said. "We are now on budget. We know that approximately 1,039 days from today, we will be opening a brand new building for our students." Niedermeyer also discussed the renewal operating levy that will be on the upcoming November ballot. He said, if passed, the levy will continue to collect $3.2 million annually to allow the district's 775 employees to meet the needs of 6,300 students. "One, this does not raise taxes," he said. "Two, it directly impacts our kids because these are operating funds. Three, it's going to protect the financial stability of the school district." Buckeye Schools also will be on the general election ballot. Buckeye Superintendent Jeff Stanton said the $59 million bond issue would allow the district to construct a new high school and renovate the current high school to house junior students because the existing facilities are dated. "We are very hopeful for success," he said. "The problem isn't going away, and your support would be greatly appreciated." Highland High School Principal Carrie Knapp said Highland is not building new facilities, but it is enhancing its buildings with new safety measures and technology. For instance, technology is upgraded within the schools on a seven-year rotation. "As we are choosing new curriculum for each subject, we are re-outfitting the classrooms," she said. "What's exciting about that is our teachers have complete control over what kind of technology we're putting in within the parameters that are set." Career Center Superintendent Steve Chrisman said one upgrade the school is working on is constructing a $1.6 million fire tower training facility, which is primarily being funded by the state and donations from local organizations. The current fire tower will soon be demolished, and it will take between 120 and 130 days to construct the new structure. "Not only will our students in high school and our adult education get to train there, but every one of our local departments will get to train there for free as well, which is super great," he said. "They'll be able to train in the county, so that if there is an all-call or something, and they need to respond, they're not down in Wayne (County) or somewhere far away." The number of students who attend the career center has increased by 153 this year, which amounts to nearly 1,200 students in the building, Chrisman said. The career center will have a 50th anniversary event from 2-5 p.m. Oct. 27 for students and alumni to celebrate its history. "We're going to be having a huge family reunion open house, and you are definitely welcome to come and attend," he said. "We've already got over 1,800 people that have signed up to come for the event." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.