Districts to receive funds for buildings

Niles schools would receive state funding for three new buildings.
NILES -- The Niles and Hubbard school districts are designated by the state to receive funding for new building projects.
In Niles, the project would consist of two new elementary schools holding 610 pupils each, instead of the current four, and a new high school, Superintendent Rocco Adduci said.
The Ohio School Facilities Commission would fund 68 percent of the project, Adduci said. The other 32 percent would come from a bond levy to be put on the ballot in November.
Niles Board of Education and the commission will meet Monday to finalize the details of the plan. The board will then have a meeting June 22 to determine how much the bond will be, Adduci said.
The facilities commission is part of Rebuilding Ohio Schools, a $24 billion program designed to address the facility needs of every Ohio school district. Niles and Hubbard are among 11 districts that received notice of funding, bringing the total number of districts to receive funds for fiscal year 2007 to 35.
In Hubbard
Richard Buchenic, Hubbard superintendent, said the commission designation could mean all new schools on a campus setting.
The district has three buildings -- high and middle schools and Roosevelt Elementary.
Rick Savors, commission spokes-man, said it is offering the state funding, but only if the districts can come up with their shares. The facilities commission recommends districts for funding based on their property wealth or the district's demonstrated financial need, he said.
The local districts must finalize a facilities master plan before final approval occurs to release the state dollars. This, he noted, must be done by the end of June.
After local approval, the facilities commission will formally consider the facility plans and projected budget at its July 20 meeting and the State Controlling Board will be asked for approval in August, Savors said.
Niles officials would like the new high school to be at the current high school's location, and they are looking at other parcels of land for the two new elementary schools, said Marlene Rhodes, school board president.
In 2003, the facilities commission funded 60 percent of the $14 million for the Niles district's new middle school.
The building projects will benefit more than students, Rhodes said.
"A new building will motivate students," she said. "But it will also benefit the whole city."
Contributors: Amanda Garrett and Tim Yovich of The Vindicator's Trumbull County staff.