ABC 22 News Now Reports:

Vacant School to Reopen as Ag STEM School (Video)




SPRINGFIELD -- The former Springfield South High School building has been vacant for years and is now making history. The school will be called Global Impact Stem School because they believed that the students can make a global impact.

Leo Banks went to Springfield South High School 30 years ago and now works across the street.

"They should've never closed the school anyway," he said. "Too many problems with so many kids at The other high school."

Students haven't walked through the halls of Springfield South High school for four years but all that is about to change once the Global Impact Agriculture Stem School opens up next fall.

Nearly 100 parents students teachers and Springfield City Board members gathered tonight to discuss the new school and what would mean for the students. Most everyone was in support.

"They can have a better future, more job opportunities and mainly to be able to get excited about the future of our world," said Cynthia Harshaw of Springfield.

Students grades 9 & 11 will be attending this school next year and in the following years they will expand to include 600 students.

All of those students will be able to receive two years of college credit for attending this school.

"We're going to bring the employers to the table and say what do you need for employees so that people can get jobs," said senator Chris Widener. "We can provide that in high school."

The stem school will cost about $9 million but taxpayers won't have to pay a dime. The State of Ohio will help out and they are also expecting donations from local foundations & Ag science corporations.

Someone like Banks couldn't be more excited.

"Great for community could be good for tire city good for the economy," said Banks.

Wright State, Clark state and Springfield city schools will also be working as sponsors for this school. There's only going to be one other similar school in the country. It's in North Carolina.

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