Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

End of Article

Construction information
Construction cannot begin on any of the schools until the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission (OSFC) finalizes the amended Master Plan, which is projected to be the second or third week in February.
Maletz summarized a meeting he had with Violet Township and Fairfield County officials. He was informed that Eastern Lakes, a projected subdivision to the west of the new schools, has been put on hold indefinitely. If the developer?’s agreement expires at the end of this year, the planned sewer expansion is at risk. This would mean the school district would have to pay to put in approximately 1,000 feet of sewer extension.
However, if that happens, it is possible the district would be able to recoup its money. The extension would qualify for reimbursement through the OSFC program, and a future developer of the subdivision site could share in the cost.
Maletz also discussed local requirements for the construction of the schools. Traffic will be a major concern, and a traffic impact study will be needed.
The traffic study will determine how traffic affects the surrounding roads. It will look at when the buses will be picking up and dropping off students; the impact to the infrastructure; possible traffic speed reduction; and the need for left turn lanes.
The recommended traffic study area would be Refugee Road to State Route 204 and Pickerington Road to Saylor Road.
Eastern Lakes has already completed a traffic impact study.
If the school is the only source of added traffic burden, the district will have to pay for all improvements.
The elementary and middle schools at the Tollgate site and the elementary school at Sycamore Creek are scheduled to open in the fall of 2009.
The board will hold its annual organizational meeting, budget meeting and monthly meeting on Jan. 8 at 5 p.m. to avoid missing the Ohio State Buckeyes appearance in the National Championship game at 8 p.m. that night.


By Central Dad

So what was the problem?

I read the article and it sounds like the board is trying to save money. I am happy they are doing that. Isn't that what they are supposed to do. I don''t know if it is the best idea or not but I am happy that they are looking at all options. Central dad you mentioned that this was the board that built the Taj mahal. I am pretty sure that the majority of this board are new members and not the ones that built the high school. central dad I think it is important for us to stay abreast of the issues but it is obvious that you have it out for the board and cannot see the forest throught the trees.

By Powder Puff

What did Olshefski know & when?

I'd like to know what Kathy (Cathy, Cathee, Kathey, or however she's spelling it these days) Olshefski, a.k.a. Lisa's lapdog, knew about the design of the new schools, and I'd like to know when she knew it.

Did she campaign on Tussing/Harmon/Diley-style schools, knowing her owner was planning on something quite a bit more elaborate, or was she kept in the dark, like a good little lap dog?

While she's not a public official, she held a position of trust as the bond issue campaign manager. The question goes to integrity. Did she honestly and sincerely serve the voters, or did her perceived power go to her head?

For the record, I voted for the new schools. I didn't vote for anything more elaborate than the designs we already have. Nothing more was necessary.

The board can throw up all the smokescreens they want about saving money. Perception is reality, and my perception, which is similar to Central Dad's, is that the board wants all the fancy new schools in the northeast part of the district, in the township.

For the record, don't all the board members and Olshefski live in the township?

From www.therightplan4pickerington.org (under Common Questions and also FAQ):
''The proposed two elementary buildings are durable, functional and cost-efficient ?– AND identical to one another. The middle school will resemble Harmon and Diley. The design is simple and educationally effective ?– NOTHING fancy. The most important thing that happens to a child?’s education is INSIDE the building ?– these buildings demonstrate that. You can see the design and the floor plan at www.therightplan4pickerington.org.''

I've been all over the website and cannot find the design and the floor plan. Perhaps someone else knows where they are, assuming Lisa and her lapdog haven't had them removed.


By Betrayed

Reade, Weltlich and Fix

Is there any truth to the rumor that Lisa Reade, Gary Weltlich and Jeff Fix have been meeting periodically at Reade's house? If it's true, what were they meeting about?

Some things are starting to become more clear. I'm still not quite sure where they are leading, however.

Perhaps someone smarter than I can connect the dots.