Demolition begins on former Carrollton school buildings

Demolition of two Carrollton school buildings is underway. 

The razing began Tuesday on the former Carrollton High School building, recently occupied by elementary school students.

Also scheduled for demolition is the former Carrollton Elementary School, built in 1913 and facing Second Street NE. 

According to Carrollton Schools Superintendent David Davis, the demolition contract was awarded to Gary Moderalli Excavating Inc. of Youngstown at a cost of approximately $850,000 — although final numbers won’t be available until the project is complete, which is expected to be Sept. 30. 

Davis explained the demolition of the buildings was included in the master plan from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, which was adopted at the beginning of the project. 

The total budget of approximately $22 million included nearly $850,000 for demolition of the existing buildings. The demolition is co-funded by the state at the same 41% state and 59% local share as the new elementary building. Final numbers won’t be available until the project is totally complete. 

Carrollton High School building history 

The construction of a new high school building was approved by the passage of a $500,000 bond issue in 1955, with construction beginning later that year. It was an addition to the eight classrooms built in 1952. 

A cornerstone ceremony for the new Carrollton High School building was held Nov. 20, 1955, and construction was not completed until the end of 1956. 

The first classes to occupy the new building moved from the former high school on the north side of Third Street, later known as Bell-Herron Middle School, in January 1957. 

According to “An Historic Synopsis of the Carrollton Schools” provided by the administrative office, the new building was an addition to the one located on the south side of Third Street NE. It contained a classroom, office and shop area for vocational agriculture; a classroom, tool room, finish room, power and tool room, and shop area for industrial arts. 

A gymnasium with roll-out bleachers was included that seated 1,068 people. 

The band and choir room contained a large assembly area, an office and repair area, five practice rooms, and two small rooms for the storage of musical instruments. 

The new building also contained three physical education locker rooms, one for girls and two for boys. 

Two large study halls, a library, a chemistry room, two science rooms, a commercial department comprising two rooms, an office machines room, and a janitor storage area completed the facilities in the new high school. 

J.W. Herron, superintendent of schools, converted one classroom into office space for the high school principal, the school secretary, and his own office. 

The new building contained a PA system, purchased and paid for by the Carrollton PTA. 

The school enrollment had grown to 1,523, with 581 of those in high school. 

During all this growth, the curriculum had been continually broadened, and a survey made in 1961 indicated that Carrollton High School had one of the finest schools in the area — which continues today.