Dover City Schools Board of Education
OPEN FORUM
Monday, November 21, 6:00 - 7:30pm
The recent defeat of Issue 15 leaves the Board of Education in a quandary: Do they abandon pursuit of the $9.5 million grant to build a new high school, change their plan and resubmit it for voter approval or what? Dover voters said "No" but to what might they say "Yes"?
The BOE members recognize that they need more input from the voting public to settle on a plan. And they have precious little time to accomplish this task because (a) the grant offer expires in July, (b) they must certify by Dec 7 if they wish to place an issue on the March 2012 primary ballot and (c) they don't know for sure if another primary election - currently planned for June - will actually occur or not. (Negotiations in Columbus leave this uncertain.)
To provide more substantive input, the BOE invites Dover citizens to a public forum in the DHS cafeteria. Chamber of Commerce President Scott Robinson will moderate so citizens can directly address the BOE and provide their insights on what aspects of the new school proposal most concerned people. The BOE will be there to listen.
Please encourage people to come, share their thoughts and hear others do the same. This is a wonderful way for our community to help our BOE plot a course for the future of Dover education.
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Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce
Shows Support for Bond Issue
Flood Plain - NOT!
Environmental Review
When the Streb property was identified as a potential site for a new high school in late 2010, the Board of Education contracted with Civil Design Associates for a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. (The complete report is on file and available at the Superintendent’s office.) The property has no wetland areas, no mines, is not in a floodplain and presents no environmental concerns. The Board of Education entered into discussions with the sellers.
In late May 2011, the Ohio School Facilities Commission announced that Dover City Schools was in line to receive substantial funding – over $9.4 million – through the Exceptional Needs Program, effectively leap-frogging DCS ahead of other school districts for funding based on the poor condition of the current Dover High School.
In early July 2011, the Board of Education commissioned CDA to do more extensive testing of the land. CDA in turn contracted with Test America to analyze soil samples. (The complete report is on file and available at the Superintendent’s office.) CDA also contacted the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to determine if they are aware of any potential hazards in or around the Streb property. Reports from CDA, Test America and OEPA all indicate that the property represents no environmental hazards.