TOLEDO, OH (WTOL) –Toledo Public Schools administration could be relocated to one of the district's high schools in order to save money.
Toledo Public Schools (TPS) leaders say they need to cut about $38 million from their budget, so they are considering shutting down the Thurgood Marshall Building, which houses TPS' central administration offices.
As a result, TPS Board of Education President Bob Vasquez says administrators could be relocated to Scott High School because their current building is too big and old.
Vasquez says Scott, which is currently undergoing a $42 million renovation decided on more than a decade ago, is an ideal spot.
However, the suggestion is not sitting well with everyone.
"This should not have come from them, even if it was a thought it should have come from the superintendent," said board member Larry Sykes.
Sykes says there simply is not enough room in the high school for the students and administrators.
In fact, Sykes says about 1,200 students go to Scott already and that the school's capacity is expected to be at a little more than 1,000.
Plus, he says the board already promised taxpayers they would not alter the school.
"They were all for closing Libbey, and I thought that was the end of it," said Sykes. "Now they're looking to alter Scott High School, which is a great concern of mine. What is it they have with inner city schools?"
Vasquez says he knows some people have concerns, but says the possibility of relocating the administration to a high school should be explored.
Before any change can be made, administrators say they have to make sure the move will save money, that they can separate administration from students and that there is enough space.
"Scott is being renovated for students first, and that is the priority so students will not be replaced by offices," said Vasquez.
If the Scott location does not work out, board members say they may look at other TPS buildings.
