By
Mark Mosgrove
A proposal in Columbus could send millions
of dollars to Medina County schools to help repair and replace
its aging buildings.
But in return, Ohio wants the districts to
put up the majority of the needed funds to complete the building
projects, or the state will retract their generous offer.
Ever since the Ohio Supreme Court ruled the
state’s educational funding system to be unconstitutional
in 1997, the state has been scrambling to come up with a solution
to fix crumbling school buildings
Cloverleaf School Board Member Dale Roberts
explained that a statewide survey was completed in 1990 in which
it was determined how much money it would take each district to
get their buildings up to standard. Based on need, the state determined
that the poorest districts would receive a larger percentage of
their total cost of repairs, as well as receive their money before
the wealthier districts. Urban districts would be first in line
to receive money, while some won’t be eligible until 2012.
According to state numbers, the construction
and repair costs in the county ranged from Highland’s $23
million to Cloverleaf’s $54 million. But based on the percentage
that the state would put towards the total price tag, Highland
would receive $2.5 million (11 percent of their total needs) in
2010-2012 and Cloverleaf would receive $19 million (35 percent
of their total needs) in 2008-2010.
Roberts said that based on the proposal, each
district must show that they have raised their portion of the
tab, or the state will not issue the funds. For example, if Cloverleaf
can not raise $35 million on its own, the state will not issue
it’s $19 million to the district. And, Roberts added, raising
$35 million is not an easy thing to do.
Some districts could see their allocations
adjusted, based on how their needs have changed. Districts like
Black River and Medina may see their allocations lowered due to
the construction of new buildings in their districts. Likewise,
other districts may see their allocation grow based on deteriorating
conditions.
The Ohio Supreme Court will convene in November
to determine if this plan will meet their conditions of what constitutes
fair educational funding.
Ohio’s
Proposal To Repair Our County Schools. * In millions
DISTRICT STATE$ LOCAL$
STATE%
Black River $14
$10 57%
Brunswick $12
$25 33%
Buckeye
$7 $31
18%
Cloverleaf $19
$35 35%
Highland
$3
$20 11%
Medina
$8
$37 18%
Wadsworth $9
$24 27%
Time Table To Receive Funds:
Black River (2006-2008)
Brunswick (2009-2011)
Buckeye (2009-2011)
Cloverleaf (2008-2010)
Highland (2010-2012)
Medina (2009-2011)
Wadsworth (2009-2011)
