Greenon superintendent: ‘Lots of action’ on school construction site coming

The construction site for Greenon Local Schools new $50 million kindergarten through 12th grade school is going to see, “a lot of action,” in June, according to the superintendent.

In a video posted on Greenon Local School’s Facebook page, Brad Silvus, Superintendent of Greenon Local School District, said the construction on the school is coming along.

“You are going to see a lot of action at the site over the next month,” Silvus said.

Silvus said residents will begin to see the beginning of some of the framework of the school in June.

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“We are underway with footings and exterior walls on some areas,” Silvus said. “Other areas have materials that are being delivered as we speak.”

In April, crews started laying the foundation and work was done underground on water, sanitary and all pipe connections, Silvus said. Last month, crews completed those tasks.

“Storm and sanitary underground lines and structures have all been connected and tested,” Silvus said. “And they are complete.”

Ground was broken for the school in September 2018.

Greenon gave the public their first look at their new school plans in late March at a school board meeting. Summit Construction and SHP Leading Design gave presentations about the schools progress as well as showed a 3D rendering video walk through of the new school.

Voters approved a $36 million bond issue to build the new school by 500 votes in May of 2017. The 6.98-mil bond will cost a taxpayer who owns at $100,000 property in the district about $20 a month. The state will pick up $18 million of the costs through the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission.

The new building is being constructed on the current site of the Indian Valley Intermediate School. However, Indian Valley will remain open during construction but will close once the new school opens, as will Enon Primary and Greenon High School.

The new school will be for all the students in the district, but will be divided so that students of different age groups won’t intermingle.

One pod will house the center of the building, the other is for elementary aged students in grades kindergarten through sixth and the third pod will house remaining students.

Both student sections will have their own media centers, libraries and special education classrooms. However, the pod for high school students will have classrooms designed for agricultural and business education.

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The center of the building, or the “core” as it’s referred to in floor plans, is where students, teachers and parents will enter the building. This area will have added security.

The core will also be where the dining area, gym and music spaces will be located.

Dennis Henry, Greenon school board president, said previously that as the construction process continues, he wants to continue being upfront with the community about everything.

“We consider the community a vital part of the process of building a new school and look forward to working together to create a new facility that will be a source of pride for the entire district,” Henry said.


Facts & Figures:

2: Years until Greenon Local’s new school might open

$36M: Bond Greenon voters approved in 2017 for a new school

$18M: Amount state will contribute to the new school

The Springfield News-Sun has provide continued coverage of the Greenon school building project, tracking developments every step of the way, including examining the state of the current buildings, attending community forums and digging into what the new building might look like.

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