Plan will decide buildings' future
Putting the facilities plan together will take about 18 months.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- The first step was taken Thursday to determine the future of Niles school buildings and how improvements will funded.
Schools Superintendent Rocco Aducci said the district is looking for state funds in 2007 to build new buildings, renovate what exists -- or a combination of both.
School administrators, principals and some board members met with representatives of the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission to start the process.
The commission is responsible for providing the largest portion of funds to build new schools and to renovate others.
Steve Lutz, commission chief planner, told the group that the agency will begin developing a facilities plan.
The plan, he explained, will depend on the number of students. At the same time, the district will contribute a long-range educational plan on how to best deliver education.
The last commission project in Niles was the construction of a $14 million middle school, opened in 2003. The state paid 60 percent of the cost with the district picking up the balance.
Aducci said it will take about 18 months to create the plan. As it now stands, there is no way to determine what type of buildings would provide the best education possible.
No credit for saving
Concerning funding, Aducci pointed out that the district was $1 million under budget in building the middle school and had asked if that money will be returned.
Jeff Tuckerman, commission senior project administrator, said the state will not give the money back.
Rather, Ackerman explained, it will remain with the commission to fund school construction statewide.
Tuckerman said that when actual construction begins, the district should not go over budget because the district will have to make up the overage. That will mean returning to the voters for more money.
"That can be a tough sell," Tuckerman said.
Glen Rowell, commission planner, said the commission believes that physical structure improves the "educational outcome."
In coming up with a plan, Rowell said, current assets such as the high school and four elementary buildings will be considered. If they appear to be assets, they can be retained. If not, they might be demolished.
"That's to assure state money is well-used," the planner said.
Commission funding, Rowell explained, is based on square footage per student. Kindergarten students are allocated 1,200 square feet each while first- through 12th-graders receive 900 square feet.
How that space is used is up to the district. For example, the district may decide to decrease the length of a hallway and use it for an education purpose.
"We want to encourage you to think that way," Rowell said.
yovich@vindy.com