In a move to address enrollment growth, the Goshen Local Schools Board of Education approved the purchase of an existing commercial building to serve as the district’s new central office at its July 14 meeting.
The building is the former KinderCare childcare facility at 6400 Patricia Blvd., just off Ohio 28. Built in 1987, the facility is approximately 8,280 sq. ft. and is situated on 1.6 acres. The business closed in August 2024. The Board agreed to the purchase price of $650,000 and plans to close on the property in August.
The district has had $625,000 in funds set aside from the sale of the Green property. These dollars have been invested and gained interest over the years.
This relocation is part of the district’s broader facilities master plan to address a housing boom in and around Goshen Township, which is bringing more than 1,200 new homes to the district. Superintendent Brian Bailey said that the Board understands that even after the failure of three bond issues at the ballot box, doing nothing is not an option.
“We continue to watch new houses being built at a rapid pace and we must look at all options to address the coming enrollment growth,” Bailey said. “This property came on the market at an opportune time and we know it is more cost effective to renovate than to build new. This will allow us to return classroom space to Marr/Cook and give us some flexibility.”
Several central office departments are housed in the east end of Marr/Cook Elementary, in a space that formerly served as the school’s library and media center. After relocating these departments to the new facility, the Marr/Cook space will be renovated back into educational spaces.
The Board will be issuing a request for qualifications for firms to complete renovation work for both the childcare facility and the Marr/Cook space this week.
Approximate renovation costs of both projects is $1.3 million. Treasurer Todd Shinkle said additional dollars for the two projects will come from the district’s Permanent Improvement fund.