After nearly 100 years of serving students at OES and more than six decades at DCJ/SHS, our schools' electrical, plumbing, lighting, and heating systems have seen their fair share of wear and tear. These critical systems are well past their expected lifespan. And while we love our historic buildings, they weren't built to today's safety codes for access or fire alarms, not to mention today's technology and class sizes.

 

You can read the full facility reports through the links on the left, or review the synopsis below

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We are a growing district: In the past 10 years, the school district has had a net gain of 61 students.

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DCJ/SHS
Built in 1938; addition in 1966

Safety & Code Compliance

Fire Safety: No sprinkler system 

Dead-end Hallways: Multiple code-violating dead-end corridors with no exits

ADA Compliance: Severely non-compliant: no accessible front entrance, non-compliant restrooms, no accessible gym seating

Security: Office cannot control building access; multiple entrance points unsecured

 

Systems, Structural & Environmental Issues

Asbestos: Throughout building in floor tiles, ceiling tiles, pipe insulation

Water Damage: Roof leaks caused damage and mold in multiple areas

Electrical: Service beyond life expectancy, insufficient capacity to give our students learning experiences for jobs of tomorrow

HVAC: Mix of failing systems - 60+-year-old boiler, window AC units, steam radiators create uneven heating

Plumbing: Mostly beyond useful life, constant toilet/sink failures, no hot water in many restrooms

 

Educational Environment Problems

Undersized Classrooms: Many rooms 500 sq ft (vs recommended 850 sq ft), especially in 1938 building

Poor Acoustics: Hard surfaces, no sound control, noisy window AC units disrupt teaching

Limited Technology: Insufficient outlets, missing smart boards and modern teaching tools

 

Oberlin Elementary School
Built in 1926; addition in 1965

 

Critical Infrastructure Issues

Electrical: Well beyond life expectancy, lacks capacity for modern HVAC and technology 

Plumbing: Mostly beyond useful life, pipes freeze and burst in winter causing classroom flooding

HVAC: Boilers from 1961, both exceeded life expectancy; inconsistent heating/cooling throughout school

 

Safety & Code Compliance

Fire Safety: No sprinkler system required for building size; only one exit from gym mezzanine

ADA Compliance: Not ADA compliant - only one accessible entrance, no accessible restrooms

Storm Shelter: Basement shelter not built to FEMA standards, no accessible route for disabled individuals

Security: Office not positioned to control building access; visitors can enter anywhere once buzzed in

 

Building Structure & Exterior

Age Issues: Original building approaching 100 years old, showing significant wear

Windows: Single-pane windows throughout, many leak air and water

Doors: Many original wood doors need replacement, outdated hardware

Site: Very limited parking, congested drop-off area creates safety hazards for students

 

Educational Environment Problems

Classrooms: Too small, poor acoustics, limited outlets

Storage: Inadequate storage throughout building

Technology: Insufficient electrical outlets for modern classroom needs

Accessibility: Art classes in basement with no accessible route for wheelchair users