TOLEDO, Ohio — One of northwest Ohio's largest school districts is looking to replace some of its older buildings. That's why Washington Local is looking to build a whole new school.
Washington Local plans to start construction on Quast Lane this summer. This comes after Toledo City Council approved the permit earlier this month.
People who live in the area are excited about the new addition, which is coming at no cost to them.
"I'm excited to see what the new school looks like," Toledo's kid mayor Lillian Joseph said.
She's in fourth grade and goes to Meadowvale Elementary School, which currently houses sixth graders. But they will be moved to the new school with seventh and eighth graders.
Cristie Joseph, Lillian Joseph's mom, is happy the change is happening.
"I think it's a good opportunity for growth at a younger age which I think is really important," Cristie Joseph said, "and I'm really excited about the possibilities a brand-new school could mean for Washington Local."
They were at the board meeting where members voted Wednesday to start work and spend up to $3.5 million on an early site package.
Washington Local Schools Superintendent Kadee Anstadt said this is one of the first steps before building begins.
"We're going to move a bunch of dirt around, there's just a lot of things that need to happen to a site before you build on it," Anstadt said. "There's many phases to this project, that's just one of them. It's one of many approvals that we'll make."
Anstadt said taxpayers won't have to pay for anything. The build is estimated to cost nearly $74 million., with the money coming from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission.
The district plans to spend $6 million in additions not covered by the state.
"We've already set aside money for that," Anstadt said. "There's no additional taxpayer money coming from this."
The new middle school would replace Jefferson and Washington junior high schools.
If all goes as planned, construction should be done in 2026, making Lillian Joseph part of the first class to "graduate" from the school.
Lillian Joseph said she looks forward to the gym being separate from the cafeteria, which is inconvenient for students.
"So, you don't have to rush out, so that lunch can happen," Lillian Joseph said.
Anstadt said there were some concerns from the community about the new school taking green space from their neighborhood. She said those were addressed at a community meeting on Tuesday, and the district plans to hold more community meetings in the future.
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