LOUDONVILLE — Loudonville-Perrysville Schools took the next step in the process of moving toward a new building project at this week’s board meeting.
The board unanimously approved a resolution accepting the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission‘s scope of the project and estimated contribution.
The resolution follows two community meetings where a master facilities planning task force unveiled options for a new master facilities plan.
Both options included construction of a new building to house pre-kindergarten through 12th graders at the current site of Loudonville High School.
The commission will cover part of the cost through its Classroom Facilities Assistance Program. That program doles out funding to districts based on the assessed property valuation for each student.
The OFCC’s project scope includes construction of the new building, along with an allowance for demolishing Budd and McMullen elementary schools. The district would also receive a partial allowance for abating and demolishing parts of the high school.
(Below is a copy of the resolution the board approved.)
Project costs
In the resolution the board approved Monday, the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission would put $15,681,130 toward the project.
“This is the next step in the process of working with the OFCC,” said Supt. Jennifer Allerding in an email to Ashland Source. “This allows the district to secure funds from the state in the event a bond issue would pass.”
There are additional features the building plans include beyond what the OFCC will co-fund with the district. Those additional features consist of a metal roof for the building, rubber playground surfacing, and purchasing additional acreage for the school.
Those features drive the project’s total cost up to $71,217,623.
A press release from the district Thursday stated the district would contribute $2,306,493 to the project. With the district’s contribution and the state’s share of $15,681,130, the total local share for the project comes out to $53,500,000.
(Below is the district’s press release.)
More steps coming
At the community meetings, Allerding said the board would need a recommendation from the task force about how to proceed.
Then, the board would have to put a property tax levy on the November ballot. Voters would have to approve the levy in order to pay for the project.
The district’s Thursday press release stated the master facilities planning task force made a recommendation to the board on Monday.
“The recommendation prioritizes the phased construction of key academic spaces while maintaining and renovating existing facilities to optimize resources and accommodate evolving needs,” the release stated.
It outlined a five-year plan for the project.
Year one would consist of planning. Construction of shared spaces and the pre-kindergarten through sixth grade wings would take place during the second and third years. The seventh through 12th grade academic wing would be built during the fourth and fifth years.
Allerding stated that any consideration of a levy would likely be discussed by the board at its June and July meetings.
