Staff photo / J.T. Whitehouse School board member Steven DeMaiolo, left, and Assistant Superintendent John Vitto check out a plan to build a new middle school around the old one, during a special Canfield Board of Education meeting on Tuesday.

CANFIELD — Plans for a new middle school in the Canfield Local School District are being discussed by officials.

During a special meeting Tuesday, Superintendent Joe Knoll showed slides of what the November levy amount could look like and what it would do. The majority of the approximately $67.3 million would go toward a new middle school. The new building will cost a projected $46.6 million, plus $3.8 million for an additional gym. Once that structure was up and functioning, the levy would provide $1.7 million to demolish the old middle school to make room for a grass area and parking. Knoll said building new next to old is nothing new.

“Safety and security are No. 1,” he said. “This can be done safely for both staff and students.”

He told board members he went through it in another district where he worked. He said it was a three-year process.

The new middle school would be built on the present loading loop off Edwards Avenue and on the present football field. He said during construction, the loop couldn’t be used.

“I did make sure the alley on the north end of the property would remain open,” Knoll said. “That is a big one as far as I am concerned.”

He said during the school day, it would remain open, but could be used by contractors when school was out. During construction, a temporary dropoff / pickup loop could be added to the front of the school off Wadsworth Street, Knoll added.

“Edwards Avenue is a big concern,” said Board President Nader Atway. “They are not going to be happy with the majority of heavy construction equipment using that road.”

A brief discussion took place regarding the Shields Road property where there was room for the new school. Atway said he was in favor of that site, but since it would be an additional $7 million to build there, he would be willing to go with the smaller amount and build on the present middle school site in town.

Knoll also said that another $2.2 million was included for C.H. Campbell, $3.3 million for Hilltop and $9.6 million for the high school for needed renovations. Board members seemed to agree that residents already had sent a clear message.

“We’ve gone to bat twice with our residents and struck out,” board member Traci DeCapua said. “Cost was a factor. We heard, we listened and we don’t want to reinvent the wheel.”

Board member Steven DeMaiolo agreed that voters have spoken twice.

“It’s do-able here (on the middle school property),” he said. “I think the people will get behind us.”

Betsy Ahlquist said she would like the numbers on building a new grades 3-8 school on the Hilltop property. After a brief discussion on that issue, Knoll told her the numbers would be put together to see what it would cost to build there.

Knoll said a resolution would be needed at the June meeting for a required first reading, whichever way the board decides to go.

Atway said as of right now, the considerations are for the onsite middle school plan, and considering Ahlquist’s idea for Hilltop. Both will be considered at a future meeting, but Atway said a unanimous decision is needed to get on the ballot this November.

On a related matter, Knoll said there are some projects that will not wait. He said a secure vestibule is needed for both Hilltop and C.H. Campbell, that combined, would cost approximately $800,000.

Knoll added another $507,500 for high school roof repairs that could not wait on levy money.

“Those are must haves,” he said. “I would like to get them done this summer.”

On top of those items was an additional $500,000 for air conditioning at C.H. Campbell, and another million dollars for repaving the high school parking lot.

“All this wouldn’t come from levy money,” Knoll said. “These are the big hitters. They are requests that need done this summer.”

He said there are some carryover funds that would help with the elementary school projects, but not enough for everything. Using the carryover money were concerns for District Treasurer Pattie Prince and Atway.

“It just means we will be put into the red a little sooner,” Atway said.

Have an interesting story? Email J.T. Whitehouse at jtwhitehouse@vindy.com.