ASHTABULA —
Former Ashtabula Area City Schools Superintendent William Licate summed up the day’s activities by describing the “circle of life”.
“Today is a day for remembering the past and moving on with excitement into the future,” Licate said during the dedication ceremony for Erie and Superior Intermediate schools.
The two schools join three existing schools at the Wade Avenue campus that now houses five schools. The schools will open later this month when classes kick into full gear.
“We are here to celebrate the birth of two new schools; twins,” Licate said. He also discussed the five other new schools built in the last decade and remembered the schools that no longer exist.
“The circle of life ... The new replacing the old,” Licate said.
“Don’t cry that the old schools are gone. I say smile because they were here,” he said.
He also credited voters for kicking the building process into full gear on May 7, 2002, by passing a bond issue to help pay for the schools.
Ashtabula Area City Schools Superintendent Joseph Donatone said the district is committed to following through on the vision for the new district by creating the best possible education for the district’s children.
He said the complete re-construction of the district’s buildings is now complete.
Benjamin Pintabona, construction manager for the project, described mixed feelings regarding the completion of the last two schools. “I am so happy to be done and I’m so sad to be leaving. You and the board have become our friends. I will miss you,” he said.
Ashtabula Area City Schools Board of Education President Christine Seuffert thanked all those who helped make the project a reality. “The board is forever grateful to all of you who brought this vision to fruition,” she said.
Seuffert also asked for community input as the district faces significant financial and educational challenges in the future. “You have the ability to affect change,” she told the audience.
Superior Intermediate Principal Christine Rutz welcomed the crowd to the dedication ceremony. She discussed the roots of the Ashtabula Area City Schools that go back to the 1880’s but pointed to the future as well.
“Our mission remains the same. We know our children are our richest asset,” Rutz said.
After the ceremony visitors were offered guided tours of both schools. A cup cake tree was a highlight of Erie Intermediate, according to several speakers at the event.
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