Many Central-Hower High School alumns were sad to see the school close.
The district announced early in its construction project that the school would be shut down and the building used for swing space for other high schools as they were renovated or rebuilt. This didn’t answer the question, though, of what ultimately would become of the building.
A potential outcome came to light this week with discussion of a bill pending in the state legislature that would allow universities to have first dibs on public school buildings that are no longer being used. (This distinction now is reserved for charter schools.)
The University of Akron would get a building it has long coveted — with its prime spot right by campus – and Akron students would receive scholarships to UA.
As we discuss on the show today, this seems like a “win-win” for everyone. Central-Hower continues its long legacy as an important educational facility. Students get scholarships. And, the university and district have a prime spot for collaborative projects, including plans for a science, math and technology high school to continue the successful endevor at the district’s Inventor’s Hall school.
This seems like a scenario that the schools’ alumns would approve of. Now, the question is whether the Republican-controlled legislature will get behind it. It does have a GOP sponsor — State Rep. Lynn Slaby of Akron.
