Facilities Updates

Oak Harbor Intermediate School Progress Video, 11 July 2023:  Click Here

Oak Harbor Intermediate School Progress Video, 5 May 2023:  Click Here 

Oak Harbor Intermediate School Progress Video, 7 February 2023:  Click Here 

Oak Harbor Intermediate School Progress Video, 9 January 2023:  Click Here

*Facilities Update| 1-9-23*

New Construction Update

The construction of Oak Harbor Intermediate School (Grades 4--6) is on schedule for completion on November 24, 2023!  See attached for the latest construction update from our architect, Garmann-Miller.

We are planning on a mid-year move.  The goal is to have students in Grades 4--6 report to the new building for classes when they return from Winter Break on January 4, 2024.

A new video of the construction progress is available by clicking here.

Facilities Transformation Work Group has also been meeting regularly to discuss procedures, protocols, and traffic patterns (both human and vehicle) once the new building is complete.  We will be operating two separate buildings in name--Oak Harbor Intermediate School & R.C. Waters Elementary--but operated in many ways as a unified campus to create efficiencies and the best opportunities for students.  What we learn and what we hear from other schools who have done a construction project similar to ours is that we ought to "sharpen our pencil" and do our homework, but also be willing to be flexible once the unified campus is up at full steam.   Opportunities may present themselves as the new synergies of the new campus come into focus.

What is Happening with the Middle School Building?

We respect the memories and the history of the middle school building (formerly the high school) and plan to honor this building.  However, the plan remains to eventually demolish the building.  In 2018, the district studied replacement of the mechanical systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing) and found the cost to be $9-15 Million.   This fact was a main driver of the Board's decision to exit the middle school building.  The construction of the new Oak Harbor Intermediate School building is contracted at $12,239,200.

5-Year Plan for the renovation of the existing R.C. Waters Building.   The start of this process will be the renovation of the existing R.C. Waters Gym.  The gym will be transformed into a library/media center as well as several intervention/small group learning areas.  We are working with Garmann-Miller Architects for this design (the same firm who designed our new school).   The goal for the completion of this renovation is August 2023.  Once this project is complete, we will begin to assess/study the remainder of R.C. Waters for renovations and create a five year plan to chunk out this work.

7th and 8th Grade Wrestling Room 

Work is nearing its end on transforming one of our racquetball courts into a 7-8th grade wrestling room at OHHS.  One of the last major hurdles is to install a new air handler in this space.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call (419-898-6210) or email me at cbergman@bcssd.com

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*Facilities Update| 10-1-22*

New Construction

The shape of the new Oak Harbor Intermediate School is taking form (See below Exhibits C-E).  The project is about a week ahead of schedule according to Midwest Contracting, who have performed well over these first several weeks of construction.  District Officials--including Mr. Keeton, Mrs. Bryant, Mr. Spurlock, Mrs. Bergman, and Mr. Harris--attend on-site meetings with Midwest every two weeks.  The Facilities Transformation Work Group has also been meeting bi-weekly to discuss procedures, protocols, and traffic patterns (both human and vehicle) once the new building is complete and we will be operating two separate buildings in name--Oak Harbor Intermediate School & R.C. Waters Elementary--but operated in many ways as a unified campus to create the best opportunities for students.  Watch for updates from this group in the coming weeks.   What we learn and what we hear from other schools who have done a construction project similar to ours is that we ought to "sharpen our pencil" and do our homework, but also be willing to be flexible once the unified campus is up at full steam.   Opportunities may present themselves as the new synergies of the new campus come into focus.

WIth all of this construction, you will not be surprised to know that the District is beginning to pay Midwest Contracting.  Invoices come as pay applications, which are based on the percentages of work done on the project by line item.  This means that pay applications are about 12 pages long and each line item is reviewed.  It is not only district officials reviewing these pay applications.  Garmann-Miller Architects also review and sign off on pay applications verifying that the percentage of work being billed is in fact the percentage of work that was completed.  The District also negotiated a retainage into the contract with Midwest, which is at 8%.  This retainage protects the school district against faulty work.  As a reminder, the contract for this new construction sits at $13,200,000.

A committee of staff have begun to look at options for furniture for the new Oak Harbor Intermediate School.  There are many options, configurations, and budget considerations.  We aim to have decisions on furniture made by January 2023.  The District is also committed to developing a 5-Year Plan for the renovation of the existing R.C. Waters Building.   The start of this renovation is taking place now with the renovation of the R.C. Waters Gym.  On this project, we are gathering proposals for an architectural firm, and aim to have the space designed and permitted by Ottawa County by January 2023 so we can begin procuring materials needed for the renovation.

High School

There were some minor physical modifications to Oak Harbor High School to transition 7th grade this summer--but major cultural and procedural modifications.  Many of our high school staff had to change classrooms.  There were shifts in offices: the athletic director, student services, classroom assistants.  There was challenging work of creating a master schedule to incorporate an additional grade level.  The staff of Oak Harbor High School ought to be applauded for their flexibility and cooperation in transforming their school to welcome new students and colleagues!  As far as physical modifications, work is continuing on the 7th/8th grade wrestling room.  One of the racquetball courts is being transformed into the wrestling room.  This shift requires new HVAC equipment as well as moving mats from the current middle school building.

R.C. Waters HVAC Project

Final electrical connections of the new rooftop HVAC units (LG) are being completed.  Ninety-five percent of this work should conclude within the next week or two.  Once installation is complete, there is the fine tuning:  LG representatives testing the equipment, setting up the new controls, etc.  We are thankful to the staff of R.C. Waters for their flexibility during these past several months of dust and disruption.    The new units will provide both heating and cooling.   The units will heat the building on their own until the outside temperature hits around 10 degrees F, at which point they will be aided by the current boilers.

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*Facilities Update| 9-12-22*

New Construction

Construction on the new Oak Harbor Intermediate School is rolling along and on-track.   Soil testing has come back positive, and the building pad is nearly completed.  The footer for the building is now being poured (See below Exhibit A).

-After brainstorming ways to save it, the pavilion on the playground had to be removed.  Moving the pavilion was cost-prohibitive.  It was in the way of the main entrance to the new building.

-A new natural gas line has been installed.  The new line will feed the existing RC Waters and the new Oak Harbor Intermediate School.  The new gas line will provide for a single-shut off in the case of an emergency on the campus.

-The dug-out area to the north of Rocket Road that you may have noticed will be a retention pond.

-The administration meets bi-weekly with Midwest Contracting and our architect, Garmann-Miller.  Please see attached for the latest "field report" for the latest construction details.

Other Items

-The transformation of the RC Waters Teachers lounge into a 2nd Serving Line/Kitchen Area is about 90% complete.  We are still awaiting delivery of new equipment such as warming ovens.  This second serving line was created to feed students from the new Oak Harbor Intermediate School once it is complete.  

-New HVAC units for RC Waters rooms that were not completed over the summer have arrived and are being installed!

Road Shift

-Work is beginning on the parking lot for the new building.  This work requires the movement of the construction fence shown in this photo below.  The gravel road connecting the concrete part of Rocket Road with the West side of RC Waters will be shifted about 10-15 feet to the west (See below Exhibit B).  The light pole and signage shown in the photo will be moved.  This shift will happen in the next few days.  The road will remain open and should not cause any disruption to traffic flow, but we wanted you to be aware.

Benton-Carroll-Salem School District Facilities Updates Archive