Poland schools spare taxpayers by using grants

This year saw a record high in state and federal money.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
POLAND -- State and federal grants and energy savings are allowing the school district to make improvements and provide programs totaling $2.8 million at no additional cost to taxpayers.
Superintendent Dr. Robert Zorn said that the district doesn't qualify for programs under the Ohio School Facilities Commission that provide funding to build new schools.
Poland Seminary High School, built in 1972, needs a new roof, and North Elementary School, built in 1957, needs a new boiler.
The district wanted to make those repairs without asking taxpayers for more money, the superintendent said.
Applying for aid
To cover those costs, the district applied through an OSFC program that allows school districts to borrow money from a bank that will be repaid in 10 to 15 years through energy savings.
Both a new roof and the new boiler, as well as lighting and water saving devices installed districtwide are expected to generate that savings.
The new equipment provides energy savings, replacing older, less efficient devices, the superintendent said.
The cost, including interest, is about $1.6 million.
Zorn said an engineer from the state approves the project, attesting to the projected savings and payback time frame, before OSFC gives the go-ahead.
"It's at no cost to the taxpayers," he said.
This year, the district also will receive $1.2 million in 14 different state and federal grants for various programs from remedial reading and special education to gifted education and reducing class size.
"It's an all-time record high for Poland schools," Zorn said.
That total of grants received has increased each year for the district.
"Every year we get a little bit better at it," Zorn said.
More available
He attributed some of the increase to the rise in federal money available for special education.
"We try to apply for everything for which we are eligible," said Zorn, who writes the district's grant applications.
The $1.6 million for repairs and the $1.2 million in grants amounts to the equivalent of about 8.5 mills in property taxes.
"Anytime we can get 81/2 mills and we don't have to go to the taxpayers, we think we're doing pretty well," the superintendent said.