MILLBURY – School’s almost out for summer, the work is far from over for Lake School District
administrators.
At a recent board of education meeting, Superintendent Jim Witt ticked off several dates leading up to
the opening of the new high school. Walbridge Elementary is also closing and kindergarten and first
grades are moving to the main campus off Lemoyne Road and Ohio 795.
On May 29, the high school and central offices move into the new building. Officials get the keys to the
entire building on July 12. An open house and ceremony on Aug. 5 at 2 p.m. will follow an Aug. 1 media
preview.
"It’s going to be a busy three months," Witt said.
Board president Tim Krugh said the logistics of moving out of the "hangar" on the Owens
Community College campus, where high school has been for two years, and out of the 90-year-old Walbridge
building is complicated.
"It’s close to moving the entire school," Krugh said.
Technology Director Donna Zalar added that there will be no phone or Internet service in the district
from May 25-29. On May 29, communication service to the high school facility at Owens will end.
The $25.7 million high school will open for the new school year in August, replacing the building
destroyed in the June 2010 tornado.
In other business, the board approved a new bus policy that stops transportation of students to other
schools.
Superintendent Jim Witt said there has been a "drastic decline" in the number of students who
live in Lake and go to other schools and it isn’t practical to transport them. In 2006, there were 125
students who used Lake buses to go to other schools; this year there are 24.
"It’s not practical to take two kids to Toledo Christian daily," said board president Tim
Krugh.
Treasurer Jeff Carpenter said two Lake buses transport students to other schools. Sometimes there are
connections with other school districts, such as Rossford.
Carpenter said Lake buses average 59 riders and the cost to transport is $637 per student.
"We’re doing it because it’s impractical but it will save us a substantial amount of money,"
Krugh said.
Lake officials are constantly monitoring finances after two levies failed last year, leading to $1.2
million cuts, including 43 positions. There is a 6.75-mill, three-year levy on the Aug. 7 ballot. If
approved, the levy will generate $1.47 million annually.
The non-public schools affected by the busing decision are Rosary Cathedral, St. Rose, St. Thomas
Aquinas, All Saints, Central Catholic, Kateri, Notre Dame, St. Francis, St. Ursula, St. John’s and
Toledo Christian.
The public charter schools are Autism Academy of Learning, Meadows Choice, Toledo School for the Arts and
Performing Arts School.
Also at the meeting, the board:
• Heard Walbridge and Lake elementaries collected 2,300 pounds and 2,350 pounds respectively, of
household materials for the 2012 Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio Inc. 2012 School Donation Drive,
the most of any in Northwest Ohio.
• Approved the retirement of bus driver Judy Hollabaugh, who has 33 years with Lake.
• Approved the graduation list with 137 seniors. The ceremony is Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in the football
stadium.
• Went into executive session to discuss negotiations and compensation of a public employee or official.
No action was expected.