POLAND — Projects at Dobbins Elementary School are wrapping up after crews recently cut down trees around the property.

Thirteen trees were removed around the structure, located at the corner of Dobbins Road and state Route 170.

The board of education discussed taking down the trees, which were compromising the building.

As part of the school district’s strategic plan, Dobbins will house administrative offices and preschool from Union Elementary, while the gymnasium will be open to sports teams.

Delaying the tree decision for a month for community input, David Janofa, superintendent, said the board received “a little bit of feedback.

“But the feedback we got at that time was, ‘Why are you wasting so much time on these trees?'”

Board members voted unanimously after only one call was received, which Janofa said included an amicable conversation with a community resident.

Mark Zura, director of student services, said that most of the trees were too close to the building.

Roots were growing close and under the building, causing floors and walls to crack.

Also cause for concern was the new roof, which was installed for $400,000. Zura said that for a warranty to be attached to the roof, the trees needed to come down.

New trees will be added in the vicinity, Zura said, matching those across the street at the high school’s stadium.

Eight bids were received, Janofa said, ranging from $11,000 to more than $30,000.

Ultimately the board of education went with Burkholder Hardwoods of Garrettsville, which submitted a price of $11,000.

Piles of chips will be hauled away, Janofa said.

Zura said the remaining mounds, filled with dirt and wood chips, will be repurposed for the insulation of a roadway in the vicinity.

Feedback has been positive about the change, Janofa said.

“We’ve had a lot of comments since that it looks so beautiful,” Janofa said, adding the building, built in 1963, is visible once again.

afox@tribtoday.com