Board hears facilities planning update: OFCC options, project delays, parking/field tradeoffs and power-provider choice

The Amherst Exempted Village Schools board received a multipart update on district facilities and construction planning, including options that the district may present to the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC), construction and permitting delays for current projects, and near-term decisions about whether to backfill new underground stormwater detention with stone (to accommodate a future parking lot) or to backfill with dirt and plant grass.

Facilities advisory committee members reported three recent building tours and said they had narrowed possible configurations for a new high school and elementary options to six different configurations; the OFCC representative said he would evaluate each option for compliance and return with potential cost estimates. Administration said Amherst is about 14th in line for state funding through OFCC, and noted that state timing could be two to five years or longer, depending on funding and the queue of projects.

Project updates: the administration said wetland and Army Corps of Engineers reviews delayed site work earlier in the year and that final stormwater approval occurred April 25; because of those delays, dirt moving and site work may shift construction completion from an earlier target to a date as late as next April. The athletic-field project has progressed: underground water storage excavation is complete and units will be installed, drainage work continues and visitor stands may be removed for concrete work; neighbors were described as cooperative.

Two near-term facility decisions were discussed. First, above the underground detention unit the district must choose whether to backfill with suitable aggregate now (the presenters estimated the more durable backfill at about $32,000–$40,000 higher) so the area can be used later as a parking lot without re-excavation, or to backfill with dirt and plant grass now and rework the area later if a parking lot is desired. Board members requested cost comparisons and suggested staff return to the board with an analysis before a final choice.

Second, administration asked the board which electric provider and line-owner to use for the transportation site: options presented were contract work with FirstEnergy (utility) or using Amherst municipal power (city-owned) lines. Administration said FirstEnergy owns poles and transformers in the area, while Amherst municipal power would be a partnership with the city; board members requested a meeting with the mayor before final direction, and agreed a city conversation should not delay construction.

Administration also described a request from the city to run smoke and dye tests on lateral storm lines (the lines off the city main) across the district property to identify any improper connections before excavation. Administration said the tests cover the district lateral lines only and that the engineers will produce a report for the city and district.

Board members asked for enrollment projections tied to local housing growth and asked administration and the enrollment-study contractor to provide updated five-year numbers before the June retreat. No formal vote was taken on project design or backfill at the meeting; the board asked staff to return with cost and timeline analysis so members can decide at a future meeting.