Big Walnut board declares intent to use south wing of 105 Baughman for preschool; estimates show multimillion-dollar work needed

The Big Walnut Local School District Board of Education voted July 21 to declare its intent to use the south section of the district-owned building at 105 Baughman Street for the district preschool program beginning in the 2026–27 school year and authorized the superintendent and treasurer/CFO to continue master facility planning and bring back any required operational, financial or legal steps for board approval.

The declaration came after a district facilities presentation led by Superintendent Ryan Gooding and district staff member Wayne, who reviewed completed projects, current work and priorities for the next two years. The board resolution directs district leaders to plan for the preschool to occupy the south wing and to continue exploring options for use of the north section, including district offices, career and technical programs, student services and family resource programming.

The facilities presentation listed multiple completed and planned projects across the district. Completed items cited included upgraded security cameras at some schools, an asphalt extension between ball fields, new playgrounds, a backup generator installation at General Rosecrans Elementary (GRE) that district staff said should be completed by the end of the summer, and repaving of the middle school parking lot. Ongoing and future priorities shown included replacing rooftop HVAC units, upgrading ventilation, adding or replacing tennis courts and athletic fields at the high school and middle school, rubberized playground surfaces to improve accessibility, and electrical and lighting work tied to removal of an underground diesel tank at the transportation facility.

District staff presented cost estimates for renovating the 105 Baughman south wing. The slide materials and discussion identified line-item needs including HVAC updates, structural framing, plumbing, restroom remodeling to suit preschool-age children, electrical work, ceiling and wall finishes, casework and fixtures. The district estimated roughly $1,780,000 for the south wing scope alone and said, when combined with the already-approved roof work, the total to prepare the building for preschool use could be in the neighborhood of $3,000,000.

Wayne told the board the $1.78 million estimate excludes the roof cost (the board previously approved roof replacement funding). He also said the estimate was produced by the district’s consultant (Garmin Miller, per the presentation), and the figures are estimates rather than contractor bids.

Board discussion touched on prior facility assessments, previous projects funded from a past levy and the district’s responsibility to make spaces developmentally appropriate for preschool students. Board members asked staff to check warranty information and to confirm whether some costs were estimates from the consultant or firm bids; staff said the 105 Baughman numbers were estimates from Garmin Miller and that actual solicitations or bids had not yet been taken.

The resolution passed on a voice/roll-call vote. The motion authorizes the superintendent and treasurer/CFO to continue master facility planning and development for the intended uses and to bring any necessary operational, financial or legal steps back to the board for approval.

The facilities presentation also identified several priority projects the district said it hopes to complete in the coming year: replacement or upgrades of air-handling units at the high school and PRE, selected VAV upgrades and chillers for the middle school athletic wing, replacement of unusable middle school tennis courts, added baseball/softball fields at the high school with a more modest press box/concession approach under consideration, and bringing all school camera systems onto a single, modern digital platform for faster access by staff and the sheriff’s office. Staff also noted an underground diesel tank at the transportation yard (about 20,000–21,000 gallons by staff estimate) that the district plans to remove and replace with a much smaller above-ground tank if feasible; staff said soil contamination assessments would drive costs if contamination is found.

Board members requested additional follow-up items: clarification on which agenda attachments are withheld from public view and why, warranty checks on recently replaced equipment, and confirmation which capital items remain estimates versus bid numbers. The superintendent said the district will continue the planning process and return necessary operational or financial steps to the board for formal approval when required.

Ending: The board’s declaration frames the south wing of 105 Baughman as the district’s preferred site for preschool in 2026–27 while continuing evaluation of the north wing for other district or community uses. Staff said next steps will include master planning activities and more detailed procurement work before contracts or construction begins.