On Monday, the Ironton Board of Education selected the architectural firm that will help lead the schools in the quest for passing a bond levy for a renovation/construction project.

Tuesday, February 27, 2001

On Monday, the Ironton Board of Education selected the architectural firm that will help lead the schools in the quest for passing a bond levy for a renovation/construction project.

During its regular meeting, board members chose Fanning/Howey Associates Inc. of Columbus as the architects for the project.

Triad Architects Inc., also of Columbus, also was in the running for the job.

School board president Kathy McGinnis said Fanning/Howey’s track record in helping school districts pass levies gave the firm the edge over Triad.

"In my mind, Fanning/Howey and Triad are both very good firms," McGinnis said. "We could have went with either one, but Fanning/Howey had a little more experience in dealing with passing a levy."

Some of Fanning/Howey’s finished projects include a new school construction in Vinton County and a renovation project in the Wyoming School District in Cincinnati. The firm is currently working on a project in the Oak Hill Union Local School District that will construct a new high school/middle school and expand and renovate an existing elementary school.

The Ironton district plans to have the high school and middle school renovated and construct a new elementary building to replace Whitwell, Kingsbury and West Ironton elementaries.

District treasurer Sandra Foster said Fanning/Howey will serve as a liaison between

the school district and the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission (OSFC). She said they will review the school’s master construction plan to determine if any modifications are needed. Once the school board accepts a final master plan, the firm will take it to the OSFC and work with that entity to ensure the plan follows guidelines outlined by the state. The plan is expected to be presented to the OSFC in May.

The total project will be about $24.5 million with around $6.8 million coming from the levy. The levy has to be passed before the state share is released.

Ironton is currently 17th on the construction funding list. There is a possibility the school could be funded this year and put a levy on the November ballot. If not, it will be eligible for funding next year.