School facilities commission to review programs, funding

The commission's report will include recommendations for improvement.
By MARC KOVAC
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- The Ohio School Facilities Commission, the public body that has disbursed nearly 5 billion in state funding for building projects since fiscal 1998, will conduct an internal review of its programs and funding and determine whether changes are in order, members agreed this week.
The resulting report will include recommendations for changing the way the commission has operated since its inception a decade ago and the identification of future funding sources.
The three-member commission board adopted the resolution Thursday, which calls for the review to be completed by mid-April, during its first meeting of the new year and of the new Democratic administration.
The resolution outlining the process was unanimously adopted by members J. Pari Sabety, director of the Office of Budget and Management; Hugh Quill, director of Administrative Services; and Susan Tave Zelman, superintendent of Public Instruction.
The OSFC administers state programs that provide funds for new school buildings and renovations of current facilities, with an eye toward improving classroom atmospheres and educational programming in the process.
Background
To date, the commission has provided funding for 780-plus building projects, including 480 that have been completed and 300 in design or construction phases, according to the group's 2006 annual report.
It has disbursed 4.9 billion through 12 programs, covering everything from new construction and renovations to emergency repairs and disability access.
In coming weeks, the commission will complete a formal study to identify its core goals, review the scope and costs of programs already in place, recommend changes as needed and identify long-term funding for future projects.
As part of the latter, the review will outline implications for school districts not able to improve facilities because of a lack of state funding.