Saying they are committed to a “sustainable future”, Akron Public Schools officials released a statement today on what may be next for Miller South School For Visual & Performing Arts , and Pfieffer Elementary School.

Their original plan was to build a new facility to house both of those schools on the site of the old Kenmore High School, but in a statement released today, they say that plan has changed because of increasing costs.

“Approved by the Akron Public Schools board in early 2024, the project’s initial total construction cost was estimated at $63 million and funded through a combination of Certificate of Participation (COP) bonds, federal stimulus funds and permanent improvement dollars set aside for community learning centers (LFI funds).

Due to increased inflation, higher labor costs and tariffs on construction supplies, total project costs are estimated at $76M, leaving a $13M shortfall. Superintendent Outley and Treasurer Stephen Thompson have developed recommendations to the board’s Finance & Capital Management Committee to ensure project costs align with the district’s five-year plan. 

The following options are being considered for the Kenmore site, as the superintendent continues to gather input from the community and school administration:

• Option 1: Proceed with the original plan. This involves addressing the current $13M funding shortfall.
• Option 2: Build a new Miller South School at the Kenmore location and redistrict Pfeiffer students to nearby CLC schools. This option is estimated to cost $60-63 million.
• Option 3: Renovate Litchfield CLC to house Miller South programming and redistrict Pfeiffer students to nearby CLC schools. This option requires cost estimates from an architectural firm.

Director of Communications Stacey Hodoh said, “We are committed to transparency and responsible financial stewardship. We are working diligently to navigate these challenges and ensure the successful completion of construction projects, while safeguarding taxpayer dollars.”