Historic meeting tonight

Editor's note: Due to inclement weather, the Oberlin school board meeting scheduled for Feb. 9 was canceled.

In the news business, we often get the sense that events we cover as news will later be looked upon as history, even historic. Such an event is tonight's meeting of the Oberlin board of education.

The agenda for the meeting is short -- only eight pages, including five pages of supporting materials for a request for the high school wrestling team to attend the state wrestling championships in Columbus. But the two study topics promise to generate much discussion and possibly set the course for the Oberlin schools for years to come.

First, represenatives of the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission will make a presentation on Oberlin school buildings and how to meet the needs of 21st century students.

The commission had earlier determined the cost of renovating Oberlin's schools to meet current educational needs would be greater than building new. But as Oberlin's turn for state funding assistance draws nearer, the community needs to determine how the district might look in the future.

Can we afford to keep the current arrangement of four buildings, or will some or all be consolidated? Would a single campus setup work in Oberlin, reducing administrative, transportation, and cafeteria costs?

We expect these and other issues to be discussed tonight.

Also on the agenda is a discussion of athletic facilities, specifically the high school track and tennis courts. The board is expected to consider placing a 1-mill levy on the May 4 ballot to improve those facilities.

Late last year the board voted not to participate with the city in a recreation study. While the board cited the deplorable conditions of the track and tennis courts at that time, they felt they could not afford $19,000 to pay for a study to tell them the facilities should be renovated.

The deadline for placing such a levy on the ballot is quickly approaching. But the discussion tonight could sway a descision on that vote later in the evening.

We urge residents to attend the school board meeting and get answers to any questions on these two very important issues. It could be an historic night.