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Ontario SD 8C trustees hear multi‑million‑dollar facilities needs and preliminary cost estimates
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Summary
District facilities staff outlined roofs, asbestos abatement, gym floors, parking/asphalt and other needs across schools; rough estimates ranged from tens of thousands for classroom abatement to $1.2 million for asphalt work at the high school. Board discussed reserves and grant opportunities.
The Ontario School District board on Wednesday received a comprehensive facilities briefing that enumerated repairs and upkeep needs across nearly every campus, with preliminary price tags ranging from tens of thousands to more than $1 million.
Bob, the district facilities presenter, told trustees the administration building roof replacement would be "about 150,000, not including the abatement cost" and warned that removing asbestos‑containing finishes would raise costs at multiple sites. At Alameda Elementary he said carpet and asbestos tile abatement for several classrooms could run into the low six figures and that replacing the gym floor there would also be expensive. For the high school, Bob said resurfacing parking lots and asphalt work had an estimate of roughly "1,200,000" for significant paving work.
The presentation covered Aiken (roofing, new counseling office space, enclosed breezeway and playground protection), the middle school (softball field work and fencing), the transition academy (ADA ramp and access control), and district support buildings (a crowded warehouse north of the bus garage and a transportation facility that may need expansion). Bob also recommended adding access control and cameras at several schools and identified repeated roofing, plumbing and fire‑alarm items that must be addressed.
Board members asked about funding sources and prioritization. Staff said the district maintains a building reserve fund and has used targeted grants and reimbursements (including SIA dollars for safety work) but cautioned that most district dollars are spent on salaries and that capital work competes with instructional needs. One trustee asked staff to rank projects so the board can consider phased work or bond options; a staff member agreed to prepare prioritized lists for future discussion.
The board did not commit to any immediate large capital borrowing at the meeting; trustees said the information will inform the upcoming budget cycle and possible grant or bond planning.
