Vision for Our Schools

The Board of Education, along with the district’s administration and architectural advisers, did a top-to-bottom review of the district’s infrastructure needs. They prioritized projects that would capture state aid – to the tune of $8.9 million – and support the district’s goals for enhancing safety, security, and operational efficiency.

Bringing Our Youngest Learners Together

Mantua’s preschool program is in high demand and funded by the state. In fact, the district received $3.5 million in state funding for this school year.

To maintain this funding, the district must provide appropriate facilities. Currently, the district’s preschool classrooms are split between Sewell and J. Mason Tomlin elementary schools. Consolidating all preschool and kindergarten classrooms into one building would create a more cohesive learning environment, improve program capacity, promote greater collaboration and streamline resources.

Projects in the referendum to achieve this goal include:

Demolishing the outdated 1912 original building – called Castle Wing – at Sewell Elementary School and building four modern kindergarten classrooms in its place.
Building an additional wing at Sewell with seven preschool classrooms.

The outdated 1912 Castle Wing at Sewell (in the two photos above) would be demolished and rebuilt with modern kindergarten classrooms.

An example of a modern preschool classroom that would be added at Sewell.

Ensuring Safe, Energy-Efficient
Learning Environments

Roofing, HVAC systems and security systems across the district need to be replaced or upgraded. These improvements are needed to ensure safe, energy-efficient, climate-controlled learning environments that help advance student achievement.

Projects in the referendum to achieve this goal include:

Replacing leaking roofs at Sewell and J. Mason Tomlin and making repairs to metal roof at Centre City.

Replacing aging HVAC systems, including chiller cooling towers, heat pumps, and controls, with new energy-efficient systems.

New security panel at Sewell and new closed-circuit television system at Centre City.

Installing new LED lighting on exterior wall-mounted fixes and on existing light poles.

Interfacing fire alarm systems with new HVAC systems at all three schools.

Leaking roofs are causing water damage at JMT. A new 30-year warranty would ensure district roofs could last for decades.

The crumbling foundation (above) at the District Offices requires significant repairs that are not financially feasible. Moving the offices, as well as the IT Suite (below) to JMT provides a more cost-effective solution.

The District Offices are currently in a building that is not ADA compliant.

Relocating District Offices/IT Suite

The District Office at 684 Main Street in Mantua is in a 100+-year-old, non-historic, non-ADA compliant building in need of significant repairs including a new roof, new HVAC and boiler system, electrical system update, window replacements and more. Making repairs to the current building would be costly and would not be eligible for state aid.

The referendum proposes moving the district office and information technology suite to the Evergreen Preschool Wing at J. Mason Tomlin Elementary School. The move will cost just $5,000 as part of the referendum, requiring only the installation of a new corridor security door in the Evergreen Wing. This move would provide the district with safe, modern offices that are ADA compliant and a secure, hazard-free location for the district's critical servers and information technology operations.

*If the referendum passes, the district will work with local community groups to determine future plans for the current offices at 684 Main Street.

DISTRICT OFFICES WALKTHROUGH V2.mp4

Improving Each School

In addition to these improvements, the district has identified projects specific to each school. For more information on improvement projects at each school, please visit the Project page.