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Overview:

What is the Central Learning Center?
The Central Learning Center is a unique school in the heart of Akron. It is being used as “swing space” (an alternative site for a school) during the construction of the district’s community learning centers. The Central Learning Center provides a safe learning site during the district’s 15-year construction program – Imagine Akron Community Learning Centers.

Where is the Central Learning Center located?
The Central Learning Center is located at 400 W. Market St. and formerly housed the regional McDonald’s headquarters and Summa Health System’s insurance center. The 97,000-square-foot building is situated on 8.28 acres with parking for 240 cars.

Why did the district purchase the Central Learning Center?
When schools are demolished prior to new construction, some students must be relocated to alternative sites known as “swing space.” The Central Learning Center is centrally located and can serve as swing space for 17 or 18 elementary schools during the entire construction period. The facility is large enough to house two schools of 450 students each.

What is the advantage of moving our children to this site?
Some of the school grounds are too small to keep the existing school operational while new construction takes place. Moving children to the W. Market St. CLC allows children to learn in a modern, attractive, efficient and safe facility during construction. The entire school will move to this site, and children will not be split up by grades or separated. The district can avoid higher costs for purchasing trailers and/or rent for space in church basements as originally recommended in the Master Facility Plan. The Central Learning Center is conveniently located in the heart of Akron and can be used for all schools. The location has plenty of parking, unlike most of our schools; and the facility is on a bus line.

How much did the building cost, and how much will it cost to renovate?
The facility was originally valued at $12.5 million. However, APS purchased the Central Learning Center for $8.5 million. The district is using Issue 10 funds already earmarked for purchasing or leasing and remodeling temporary swing space to pay for the building. The original estimate to transform the building from offices into schools was $5 million; however, actual costs were around $3.5 million for renovations.

How can the district afford the cost of purchasing and remodeling this building?
The funds used to build community learning centers are not part of the district's general operating funds. As you recall, in 2003 the community overwhelmingly approved Issue 10, a temporary, quarter-of-one-percent income tax. The money generated by the income tax provides the 41 percent local match the state requires in order for APS to qualify for OSFC funds. These funds can only be used toward the expenses related to the proposed CLCs. More than $13 million of Issue 10 funds were earmarked for land acquisition and swing space. Anticipated land purchases are less than previously expected. By purchasing the Central Learning Center, the district saved money. The original master facilities plan called for temporary modular units, or trailers, to house children during the construction period. These temporary units cost approximately $3 million each. The district anticipated needing at least two in the first segment alone. Now these units will not have to be purchased and erected in Akron neighborhoods. Also, unlike leased facilities or trailers, this facility retains value to the district after the construction is complete. The building can be sold or used for administrative offices. In addition, the OSFC is providing $1.2 million to remodel this facility into classroom space. Issue 10 and OSFC funds will adequately pay for the purchase of the building and the estimated $3.5 million in remodeling costs.

How much space will be leased to other tenants? What will be done with the revenue generated from leasing the space?
The Central Learning Center is 97,000 square feet. Of that, the construction management team is leasing 4,500 square feet for offices. In addition, the Akron Summit Community Action Agency had a long-term lease in place with the former owners. The ASCA will continue to occupy 10,000 square feet. The remaining 82,500 square feet is used for educational purposes. The OSFC requires and pays for a dedicated space for the construction management team. The district had planned to construct or rent space for the team offices but now has the opportunity to create offices at the Central Learning Center and lease the space to the team. The revenue generated from both tenants is being returned to the district's general fund to operate the district.

What renovations were done to prepare for the first day of school?
The entire building was renovated to create two separate schools. The interior of the building was entirely reconfigured to represent a school environment, rather than business offices. Nearly all of the old office partitions and doors were removed and replaced with classroom partitions, doors and corridors. The schools will share the learning resource center and cafeteria, and times will be scheduled to keep the students separated. The building was equipped with new fire sprinklers, fire alarms, public address systems, emergency power, security, lighting and air conditioning. A new playground is located just outside the building and secured with fencing and gates. Other exterior areas, including driveways and parking areas, were modified to allow for safe navigation of yellow buses, provide ample visitor and staff parking, and reinforce security measures.

When were renovations completed?
Renovations were completed in two segments. The first phase, which includes the first floor, was completd by June 1, 2005. Work on other floors was completed by July 22, 2005.

Will people be allowed to come in and look at the building before the school opens?
We scheduled an open house for parents after renovations were completed. We wanted to show parents the plans for the facilities. We also wanted to discuss the steps we took to make sure the Central Learning Center is an inviting, secure place.

Is the site a suitable learning environment?
The building is secure, air-conditioned, well-lit, efficient and much newer than any of our schools. The building is handicap accessible with two elevators.

Which schools will swing into the Central Learning Center?
Fairlawn (renamed Judith A. Resnik Community Learning Center) and David Hill elementary schools were the first to occupy the space. Future schools will be determined as the project progresses and future needs are assessed.

When will students move to the facility?
Fairlawn (renamed Judith A. Resnik Community Learning Center) and David Hill elementary schools moved in the beginning of the 2005-06 school year. Glover and Ritzman elementary schools will use the Central Learning Center for the 2007-08 school year.

How long will my child attend the Central Learning Center?
Depending on construction schedules and weather conditions, a typical elementary school is built in 18-24 months.
 

The school day:

How will children get to school?
Children will be transported to and from school by APS yellow school buses; however, parents always have the option of transporting their children by car. Pick-ups are at various times, depending on the location.

Why is the school day starting later?
One of the schools will have a later start time because APS must triple-route buses in order to pick up students in each neighborhood and transport them to the Central Learning Center.

Is 15 minutes in between the two schools' start and dismissal times enough to avoid problems in the parking lot?
We believe 15 minutes allows enough time to avoid problems, and we will work with each building's staff to ensure the safe and orderly drop-off and pick-up of students.

Will the Central Learning Center have a gymnasium?
An outdoor playground was included in the renovation plans. In addition, officials are exploring a variety of options for providing physical education.

What about security? Will the school be safe?
The same safety precautions in place at all Akron elementary schools will be in place at the Central Learning Center. These include door buzzers and visitor sign-ins. In addition, Akron Public Schools will provide a full-time security team to keep the children safe while at school.

Will before- and after-school care be provided?
Akron Public Schools is meeting with various community agencies to seek child-care options for parents. A current list is available.

Will the children from both schools interact with each other?
Each school will occupy a separate floor and will basically operate separately.

How will the lunch and recess periods be staggered?
Lunch schedules will be staggered to accommodate the starting and dismissal times of each school. The cafeteria accommodates 216 students at a time.

Half of the Ritzman students go to the cafeteria at 11:30 a.m. while the other half go to the playground. Glover students remain in classrooms. Approximately halfway through the 45-minute lunch period, the Ritzman students switch locations. Building principals will decide approximate times within the lunch periods for primary and intermediate lunch and recess. Ritzman students return to class at 12:15 p.m. The Glover students repeat the process from 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.

If the swing space houses two schools and the lunch periods are separate, will each school have its own cafeteria workers?
We anticipate the child nutrition staff currently working at each school will work with their school's lunch program at the Central Learning Center.

I am very active in my child's school. Will I be able to continue my volunteer work and come and go like I do now?
You can continue to volunteer in your child's school. We welcome your interest and the investment of your time to enhance your child's education.

I thought Fairlawn students would stay at the original school while the new building was constructed. What changed?
The original master plan called for the new Fairlawn to be built next to the old Fairlawn, meaning students could stay in the old building while the new building was constructed. As community planning progressed, parents overwhelmingly urged the district to build the new school on the same site as the old school. That means the old school had to be demolished before new construction could begin. Students, therefore, moved to the Central Learning Center for the duration of the construction.

What if my child forgets something at home? I don’t have a car.
The Central Learning Center is centrally located and is right on a bus line.

Feedback:

If I have more questions, who can I contact?
E-mail your questions to apsnews@akron.k12.oh.us, or ask your child’s school principal. Other contacts include:

• David James, Akron Public Schools – 330/761-2805
• Laraine Duncan, City of Akron – 330/375-2560
• Paul Allison, Akron Board of Education – 440/546-8611
• Marco Sommerville, Akron City Council – 330/375-2256
• Jeff Tuckerman, Ohio School Facilities Commission – 614/466-6290