Cleveland Heights-University Heights School Facilities Committee to Meet Wednesday

For the past seven months, the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School Facilities Committee has been studying buildings in the district and offering suggestions to improve the antiquated structures to accommodate new learning technology while preserving as many historical features as possible.

The committee, comprised of nonprofit leaders, principals, teachers, residents, parents, city council and school board members and other city and school officials, will have its next public meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the  library.

The committee has four subgroups, and the Options Subcommittee and Financial Assessment Subcommittee will share recommendations at this week's meeting. The committee and subgroups were formed in response to recommendations from the the Ohio School Facilities Commission. 

The Options Subcommittee has reviewed the reports given by the Educational Assessment and Building Assessment subcommittees for the past four months, said Angee Shaker, communications director for the district.

The building subcommittee analyzed the structural needs of the schools, such as electrical wiring, plumbing, layout and other physical aspects, while the educational subcommittee presented options to update the learning environments of the buildings.

The Options Subcommittee will present its recommendations based on its review of both reports, which include a mixture of renovation and new construction, said Steve Shergalis, director of Business Services for the district, in a press release.

The Financial Assessment Subcommittee will present possible costs associated with updating the buildings and how the district could fund the projects.

All community members are welcome to attend. People will have a chance to share their thoughts about the plans at a meeting May 12. The committee will have its final meeting June 2, and the will hear the final Facilities Committee Report July 5.