Posted: 12:00 a.m.Monday, Jan. 26, 2015

Church’s plans for school seen as positive

By Rick McCrabb

Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN — 

    While Middletownschool board members wished the vacant school and property sold for more atauction, they believe plans for the former VerityMiddle School are positive for the Middletown community.

    Last month, Berachah Churchwas the highest bidder at a live auction for the former Verity Middle Schoolproperty, 1900 Johns Road, and the nearly 60 acres that surround the building.Berachah bid $293,000 for all three parcels, $3,000 more than the Performing Arts Academy,said George Long, district business manager. The property was appraised at$740,000, he said.

    By selling the property, Long said thedistrict it will save $330,000 — the cost of demolition — and that money can bespent renovating Middletown High School and buildinga middle school. He said if the school was demolished, the 60 acres would beappraised at $250,000.

    School board members are expected to votetonight, Jan. 26,on whether to sell the property to Berachah or keep it andpossibly have it demolished.

    “We don’t need it right now,” said MarciaAndrew, board president. The church’s plans would serve a lot of students,which could be beneficial for the entire community, she said.

    Lamar Ferrell, Berachah pastor, said he hasheard nothing but positive comments from the community since it was announcedthat the church plans to purchase the property.

    “This is of monumental importance to helpthis city,” Ferrell said. “This is a win for the community. We want to be ablessing.”

    Ferrell said restoration of the former Verity School,which closed in 2012 as a way to reduce $5 million from the district’s budget,is estimated at $1.6 million, meaning the total investment will be about $1.9million. Berachah has secured a feasibility study and master site plan from theMcKnight Group, a Grove City-based company, and the church is ready to moveahead with construction, he said.

    Berachah has been approved for financingthrough American Saving Bank and the church, which worships in Middletown High School, is debt free, he stressed.He said the capital campaign is called Overflow and the first offering is setfor April 12. The goal is to raise $700,000 over the next three years, he said.

    The plans call for a 1,000-seat sanctuaryto be built on the front of the building that faces Breiel Boulevard. Ferrell said theproperty would be used to serve the community in numerous ways, includingseasonal outreach at Freedom Court,a summer lunch program, Vacation Bible School,a community health clinic, Red Cross classes, children’s summer theatre,after-school mentoring, community rooms, Upward Sports, practice fields andElley’s Hope Playground, designated for children with disabilities, at nearby Lefferson Park.