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School district to buy Berns property for all-day kindergarten

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By Denise Wilson, Staff Writer Updated 10:20 AM Tuesday, December 15, 2009

MONROE — The Monroe Schools Board of Education has approved a deal to spend nearly $1 million to buy property to prepare for state-mandated all day kindergarten in 2010.

The board unanimously approved a resolution during its final meeting of the school year Monday night, Dec. 14, to buy property at 500 Yankee Road — down the road from the district’s Yankee Road campus — from Berns Development for $912,500 to provide space for central office personnel.

The district is planning to relocate its central office staff from modular units behind the Primary School on Macready Avenue to the 6,675 square-foot Berns building to make space for more kindergarten classes. The site also includes 8,000-square-feet for a bus garage for the district and space to address growth, said Superintendent Elizabeth Lolli.

The board also approved a resolution to borrow a total of $980,000 from the district to purchase the property, which includes additional funding for financing and closing costs, bond fees, moving into the building, installing carpeting and remodeling the facility.

The district plans to sell bonds and repay the district by as early as the second week of January, said Treasurer Kelley Thorpe.

She said the district decided to use its own money — cash the district is sitting on and does not need at this time — to purchase the property to expedite the closing of the property prior to Dec. 31 to only have to pay a few days of taxes this year compared having to pay a full year or about $30,000 in taxes in 2010.

“So that right there — a savings of $30,000 — is big push for us to close by the end of the year,” she said.

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Many of the people making comments are overlooking the fact that all day kindergarten has been mandated by the Ohio Legislature without any additional state funding. There has been talk about a one year delay in the requirement. Many Ohio School Districts are already on full day kindergarten. I fully support Monroe Board of Education and Dr. Lolli in moving forward with this activity and maintaining the high level of quality education that is offered in Monroe.

William Kinsey
9:22 AM, 12/15/2009

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To all the people that complain, all the time: know the facts before you spout off and show how ignorant you are. Monroe Schools are terrific and the reason they are terrific is because of the community support. The leadership in Monroe is very open about the direction of the district. I for one am very glad that I live in Monroe.

CMS
8:00 AM, 12/15/2009

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The three new incoming board members participated in all of the discussions, including the executive sessions, had the opportunity to raise any points or questions they desired, and were specifically asked during the meeting to make any concerns or objections known. They were fully on-board and supportive of the decision.

The reason the vote was unanimous was because it was the cheapest option available. This was cheaper than renting or new construction.

Tom B
7:10 AM, 12/15/2009

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Um, a couple of points commenters: 1. Kindergarten classes ARE NOT MOVING. They will still be in the primary building including the mod units. So there's no need for the kids to travel. 2. They are not seeking a levy, THEY ALREADY HAVE THE MONEY. 3. MOST K students have been attending full-day daycare previously and are use to full-day activities. They're not suddenly forcing them to be first graders - they are allowing teachers the time they need to meet state requirements.

Dave
6:12 AM, 12/15/2009

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My sympathies to the special area teachers (music, gym and art) who will now have to cover the planning. Kindergardeners are not ready to travel to these special classes. We are turning kindergardeners into first graders.
The hurried child syndrome.

Slapdash
6:00 AM, 12/15/2009

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