Talawanda Mulls Kramer Move-In Date As Construction Nears Completion

BY JAKE STANLEY
Miami University journalism student

As construction draws to a close at the new Kramer Elementary School, the Talawanda School District is beginning to finalize plans for an official move. The move-in date for the new structure, located next to the existing Kramer building at 400 W. Sycamore St., will be determined by district leadership in the coming weeks.

Picking a move-in date

The Talawanda School Board is currently considering a date between late December and mid-February. The move date will be discussed at the next board meeting, this Wednesday at 6 p.m.

“If a December move is approved, Kramer students will have three additional days off from school over the winter holiday break,” said Talawanda superintendent Kelly Spivey.

Kramer principal Jason Merz said the most important factor for the district is creating a plan that is safe and feasible. He said that he and Spivey are figuring out how students will move to buses and cars at the new site.

“We’re making sure we have a safety plan in place,” said Merz, currently in his eighth year as the school’s principal. “We can get kids in and out safely while working with the city, police and fire department. As long as that’s a go, they’ll set a date and we’ll move in.”

When the move occurs, teachers will receive boxes to pack up books and other classroom supplies. The new school will be fully furnished, so no furniture will be relocated.

Increased parking

In preparation for the move, Talawanda and Oxford city officials have entered an agreement to construct a temporary parking lot near the new building, with approximately 40 spaces accessible by Sycamore Street. Oxford City Council approved the agreement at its Oct. 18 meeting.

The school will also mark 14 additional spaces for deliveries and parking when available. The official design for the lot is currently being finalized by Talawanda School Board treasurer Mike Davis and Oxford officials.

The agreement calls for the lot to be vacated by July 18, 2017, at which time it will be converted into green space for the new school.

With 70 cars parked daily at Kramer, the effort to find adequate parking has been difficult. Merz has been pleased by the flexibility of staff and parents.

“They don’t stop us from coming to school,” said Merz. “They’ve just slowed us down a little. [Parents] have been flexible and we’ve been making sure we're in communication.”

New school, new capabilities

Construction on the new school, which began in August 2015, is nearly complete. Crews have begun seeding the grounds and installing concrete pathways at the site.

“I’m proud to report that this plan is on budget, on schedule, and is a high-quality construction project,” said Spivey.

According to Merz, the new school will provide new amenities for students, highlighted by small-group breakout spaces for each grade level. The facility will also include increased wireless connectivity and an expanded cafeteria.

“It’s an improved design that will utilize the most instructional space,” said Merz.

The second phase of the construction project will involve the demolition of the old building, which has served Oxford students since 1962. An official grand opening ceremony is tentatively set for Aug. 14.

“It will be a proud day to present a brand new building to our community for no additional cost to our taxpayers,” said Spivey. “This is something to truly celebrate.”

Photo: Oxford's new Kramer Elementary site will include a temporary parking lot, which will revert to green space in July. -- Photo by Jake Stanley