Wednesday, May 21st, 2008
Celina schools should get funding offer this year
By Janie Southard
Celina City Schools should be in line to get an offer from the state this year for a school construction or renovation project.
The Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSCF) reported the state will fund 44 percent of any project leaving the community with 56 percent. The state allows one year from its offer for the school to raise the local money, most typically through a levy.
To this point the more than a decade old OSFC has offered funding to school districts only once a year. Beginning this year a second offering will be added in November.
"At this point we have no written or oral commitment of an offer but on advice of (an OSFC official) we'll defer any offer made now in anticipation of a November offer," said Matt Miller, Celina superintendent, following this week's school board meeting.
He said that would give the school four opportunities at the polls to get something passed.
"But there's a lot to be done in selecting the best building/renovation plan for us. We'll also have time to work with the community," Miller said.
The board has narrowed the field of architect hopefuls to three: Fanning Howey Associates of Celina, Garmann/Miller & Associates of Minster and Buehrer Group of Maumee. The second round of individual interviews with the final trio will begin soon.
In other business at this week's school board meeting, members heard the city plans to modify Wayne Street at Fountain Avenue to construct a right turn lane off Wayne onto Linden Avenue. The present sidewalk on the north side of Wayne before Linden will be moved back to provide more space for the turn lane.
"There is congestion around there in the mornings and afternoons with parents dropping off or picking up their kids at East school. This will help a lot," Miller said, adding the tip of the west corner at Fountain and Wayne will be trimmed back slightly for easier right turns.
Board members approved the Tri Star house auction for 7 p.m. June 26 at the house, 1715 Brookshire Drive, Celina.
