WH Schools digs in for the long run

Over the decades the landscape of education has changed greatly, as former village high schools became elementary schools and consolidation saw West Holmes High Schools come together, combining each of the district’s former high schools into one.

This past year has seen the school district search change again, developing a plan to create a new K-5 elementary school on the district campus west of Millersburg.

On Wednesday, July 31, a big crowd turned out to celebrate the official dedication ceremony for the building, which will reside on what is currently the middle school football practice field north of the high school.

“Today truly is a special occasion for all of us at West Holmes,” West Holmes Superintendent Eric Jurkovic said. “It’s not just the beginning of construction, but it’s the start of a new chapter in our commitment to education and our dedication to the future of our children. As we stand here today, envisioning the structure that will soon rise, let us also reflect on the building it will represent. It symbolizes growth, progress and the unwavering belief that the potential of every student will walk through those doors. It stands for a testament of our community, their investment in education and recognizing that providing our students with a nurturing environment is the key to their success.”

After Jurkovic spoke, the school board was the first to grab some shovels and dig up the inaugural first scoops of dirt, followed by groups of teachers in the district.

Because the school is for the kids, the district then gave any child who wanted to take a turn at shoveling up some sod a chance to do so.

Jurkovic said the school board and administrative team went to great lengths to explore all the possibilities, whether renovations to aging elementary buildings that require continual updates would be more fitting than building a new facility to house all the elementary students.

Eventually, the district settled on building, and Jurkovic said that decision led to community meetings throughout the district to get input.

Concerns over the affordability of building a new school and the threat of creating more taxes quickly became apparent, but treasurer Jamie Mullet designed a plan that actually lowered taxes to build the $40 million building.

Jurkovic thanked the administrative team and board members for their effort throughout the process and district staff members who gave their input and desires for what they’d like to see in a new elementary school.

Dwight Farmer, senior vice president of Adena Corporation, which is heading up the construction project, said it is a big undertaking.

However, Adena is experienced with buildings schools, and Farmer said they are excited to dig in, literally.

“We’re going through the design and budgeting process, and we’ve already bid out the last grading package that will start in a couple weeks,” Farmer said. “We’ve got a couple thousand yards of dirt to move. We’ve probably got three months’ worth of dirt to move. We should start foundations in October or November.”

Adena is just coming off the completion of building the new Shelby High School facility.

Jurkovic said the two-year process of wading through all the minute details in preparing for this moment seemed to take forever, and it was refreshing to finally see this day arrive.

He said the target date is fall 2026; however, he added it could well move into 2027 because procuring materials is such a struggle for builders right now.

The hope is the foundation will be in place and the block will be laid prior to winter’s arrival to keep things on schedule.

With the new building’s construction phase now ready to set sail, Jurkovic said the board will now turn its attention to the fate of the four current elementary schools, which will be business as usual until the new building is ready.

Jurkovic said that decision is down the road, with general discussion having already taken place, but they will explore all options.

He said for now the growth and development of the district’s new K-5 building is something to be excited about.

“The new building is not just walls and classrooms,” Jurkovic said. “It’s a place where creativity sparks, young minds are molded and where lifelong friendships are formed. This building will bring much more pride to West Holmes.”