State releases money for Brookfield, Lakeview school projects

Staff report

COLUMBUS

State funds of $164,358 have been released to Brookfield Local Schools and $12,391 to Lakeview Local Schools for school improvement projects.

“Putting our children first will create greater opportunity for our community and state,” said state Rep. Sean J. O’Brien of Bazetta Township, D-63rd, who announced the funding. “Teachers, children, families and our community all benefit when the state invests in education.”

The Brookfield Local Schools will use funds to help with construction of a new K-12 facility, demolition of Addison and Stevenson elementary schools, Brookfield Middle School and Brookfield High School and abandonment of Brookfield Elementary School, as it is located in Pennsylvania, O’Brien said.

Lakeview Local Schools will use the money to help with construction of a new elementary/middle school, as well as for the demolition of Lakeview Elementary School and Lakeview Middle School.

House Bill 482 and 497 provide that the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission receive funding from the Lottery Profits Education Fund for various previously approved school-district projects.

The commission is requesting nearly $50.5 million of these appropriations be released at this time. Money from the fund will go toward school projects across the state, including these two, O’Brien said. Money from the Lottery Profits Education Fund does not change the budget of the requested projects, O’Brien said.