Facilities

March 9, 2025 — Facility Committee Meeting Minutes (PDF)

October 27, 2024 — Facility Committee Meeting Minutes (PDF)

September 8, 2024 — Facility Committee Meeting Minutes (PDF)

June 24, 2024 — Superintendent's June District Update (PDF), published in the Sandusky Register.

June 20, 2024 — Huron Schools Tables Facilities, Levy Decision (PDF), Sandusky Register.

June 17, 2024

• The board decided not to pursue a ballot issue for the November 2024 election. The earliest a ballot issue may be attempted is now anticipated to be November 2025.
• The board is forming a stakeholder representative facility committee, co-chaired by Board members Dr. Beth Laffay and Chris Rager. Anyone interested in serving on this committee can email their interest to the co-chairs: elaffay@huron-city.k12.oh.us and crager@huron-city.k12.oh.us.
• Architect firm AVG presented programming options developed with staff input, along with cost assumptions for three possible projects (PDF):
  • A new PK-12: $94,508,301.35
  • Woodlands improvements and a new 6-12: $67,918,836.59 (corrected — originally mis-punctuated)
  • Renovation of Woodlands' 2002 addition incorporated into a new PK-12: $90,501,308.13
• AVG also presented a conceptual design of the building footprint and egress at Woodlands (PDF).
• The Municipal Advisor provided millage summary records (PDF), vetted with the county auditor and bond counsel. Page one shows assessed millage at the anticipated 2025 valuation rate; page two covers COPs' funding options through earned income; page three shows assessed millage using the 2024 real valuation rate, with the interest rate lowered to match the millage on page one. Ohio Revised Code requires the district to use the current valuation rate rather than a future projection. The county auditor and bond counsel accepted the lower interest cost so the reported millage reflects the rate that will actually be assessed in 2025 — since residents receive their new assessed value this summer, an accurate 2025 millage figure is important for transparency.

June 2024 Updates

• The wetland study was completed. The Woodlands property has no wetlands, only a small creek in the southeast corner. View the full report (PDF)
• AVG arranged a meeting with the traffic study firm that assisted ODOT with the Route 6 roundabout project coming to Huron. The firm considers Huron a low-traffic area, and operational decisions — like staggered start/end times across grade levels at the same campus — could improve traffic impact. The firm did not expect a traffic light to be needed at the Erie Parkway/Cleveland Rd. W. intersection, though a formal study would confirm that. They noted a mini roundabout could improve flow by directing traffic to turn right, exiting Erie Parkway onto Cleveland Road W. Resources: mini roundabout design guide, an example in use (PDF), and a proposal summary (PDF).

May 2024 Updates

• AVG provided three building footprint/plot sketches (PDF). Options One and Two stay within existing district property; Option Three includes the 7-acre property owned by the City. AVG encourages exploring options to obtain that property, as it would benefit the overall project regardless of the final building plan.
• The Request for Qualifications for Construction Manager at Risk closed. Three firms will be invited to provide cost and billing information, and the district will then select the most qualified and competitively priced firm.

May 20, 2024 — Dr. Tatman shared several facility highlights:

• According to the Director of the Erie County Board of Elections, presidential elections are the lowest-cost elections for ballot issues. A ballot issue in a May 2025 special election would cost $12,000–$15,000 more than one in the November 2024 election.
• The district posted a request for qualifications for a construction manager at risk (CMR), who assists with pricing during the bond and design phases and leads subcontracts during construction. The district has shortlisted firms and will interview and select a provider.
• Much like a retirement advisor supports sound investment decisions, a municipal advisor has a fiduciary obligation to serve the district's best interest when selling bonds. Districts vary in whether they use one, based on factors like existing underwriter relationships and market experience. View the presentation delivered by Mr. Sudsina to the Board (PDF).
• Mrs. Hartley shared research on the facility processes of three other districts — two with failed ballot issues, one that passed — and reflected on Huron's process so far. View the extended record (PDF).
• Staff were invited to participate in the programming design process to help define the scope of each of the Board's three proposed projects: a new PK-12; Woodlands improvements plus a new 6-12; or renovating the 2002 Woodlands addition alongside new construction for remaining PK-12 needs. AVG will provide more specific cost estimates based on an initial draft of this program, to be delivered to the Board at the June 17 meeting.

May 13, 2024 — Watch the meeting recording: a special Board meeting reviewing the land/site survey and design programming used to calculate more precise cost assumptions. At a cost of $59,666,708.62 (corrected — originally mis-punctuated), this scope includes improvements at Woodlands and a new 6-12 building. View the slide deck and meeting notes (PDF).

Following this discussion, the Board requested programmed cost assumptions for three possible projects:

1. A new PK-12
2. Woodlands improvements and a new 6-12
3. Renovation of Woodlands' 2002 addition incorporated into a new PK-12

April 15, 2024 — The April regular Board meeting reviewed community facility survey results (PDF) and discussed alternative options for improving Woodlands to address safety, warmth, and dryness, with a focus on a new single 6-12 building. The land survey of the Woodlands property was still being processed, and a gas line easement was under further review.

March 22 – April 8, 2024 — The community facility survey was open for submission, promoted through direct communication, the district website, social media, a community flyer, and the Sandusky Register. Read the article.

March 18, 2024 — The March regular Board meeting included an in-depth debrief of community engagement activities and a decision to open a community facility survey and engage the community at venues like religious institutions and homeowner meetings.

March 7, 9, and 11, 2024 — The board held community engagement meetings on building facility options. Written summaries were on display at the Huron Public Library from March 12–18.

February 26, 2024 — A regular meeting of the Huron Board of Education discussed the tasks leading to ballot language decisions in May 2024, including land survey, easement review, and soil sample due diligence for existing properties, alongside a concurrent exploration of available land for purchase. Read the Sandusky Register article: Huron School Facilities to Be Surveyed

February 12, 2024 — The Huron Board of Education heard a presentation from Baird Financial on funding options for a facility project.

January 22, 2024 — The Huron Board of Education heard AVG present the Facility Assessment Validation report (PDF). Read the Sandusky Register article: Renovate or Reconstruct (PDF)

July 12, 2023 — The Shawnee property auction closed with a high bid of $1,600,000. Proceeds can only be used for district capital improvement projects and are currently unallocated in an interest-earning account.

April 17, 2023 — The Huron Board of Education approved a recommendation for auctioneer services for the sale of the Shawnee property.

February 10, 2023 — The Shawnee property was appraised by Delahunt Appraisal Service at a market value of $1,590,000. View the appraisal (PDF)

January 31, 2023 — The Huron Board of Education approved a resolution (PDF) for Master Facility Planning services with Architectural Vision Group, LTD (AVG).

December 20, 2022 — The Huron Board of Education approved a recommendation for building consolidation (PDF), effective for the 2023–2024 school year.

December 5, 2022 — Superintendent Dr. Tatman held community discussions (PDF) regarding district consolidation.

November 15, 2022 — Superintendent Dr. Tatman presented a facility consolidation plan (PDF) to the Huron Board of Education.

March 16, 2021 — The Huron Board of Education approved a resolution (PDF) to participate in the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission's Expedited Local Partnership Program, which conducts district facility assessments.

October 25, 2021 — The Facility Assessment Report was issued.

• Report Summary (PDF)
• Full Report (PDF)