COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Coldwater Board of Education spent nearly 90 minutes Monday night discussing future needs in the district which would include a new school building to replace Lakeland Elementary.
The district is looking to put together a bond proposal for voters to decide on in November. A final board decision and the scope of the project has to be finalized by May 22nd before it goes to the State Treasury. A community survey is also planned before such a decision is made.
Josh Szymanski from the Grand Rapids firm of Owen Ames Kimball said there was a lot of feedback during three citizen forums concerning the possible replacement of Lakeland Elementary with a building that would house fourth and fifth graders.
It was generally agreed by the board that Lakeland needs to be replaced.
Board member Nick Kryzmenski said they are facing a problem in finding property for a new building.
Superintendent Terry Boguth said after talking with Coldwater Mayor Tom Kramer, the Little League diamonds on Western Avenue maybe available.
The diamonds have fallen into disrepair in recent years. The city took over the Little League several months ago and may build new diamonds in the future.
Boguth said they want to keep the total proposal under $30 million.
Shawn Parshall of Tower Pinkster Architects said a half dozen potential sites have been looked at including the site of the old Fremont School Building. Other sites were on Northshore Drive north of U.S. 12, Bishop Avenue at Green Street, Western Avenue and on Michigan Avenue near the Laurels of Coldwater.
He said another idea being looked at was to convert Legg Middle to a 4th, 5th and 6th grade building and constructing a new building for seventh and eighth graders.
Another idea being explored is moving the main entry at Coldwater High School to the north side of the building and the student entry to the south.
