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Sixth Meeting of the Quaker Spirit Facilities Improvement Committee
Sixth Meeting of the Quaker Spirit Facilities Improvement Committee
In February, the New Philadelphia Facilities Improvement Committee met once again to review a variety of updates to the overall project as well as provide input on their preferences on segmentation for the plan. Of the updates, site fit studies demonstrated that a PreK-6 could be fit on the existing South site, if 6th grade was included in the new elementary school. Additionally, the project budget was adjusted for an anticipated 5% inflation.
Prior to the meeting, the district’s bonding counsel provided additional insight into whether the entire plan could be accomplished in one phase or if it would have to be segmented. While different funding avenues were explored, it appears the current plan would need to be split into two phases.
The district is not enrolled in the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission’s CFAP program and would likely have to fund the project without immediate state-aid. However, by pursuing the OFCC’s ELPP program, they would be eligible to receive a future credit of 56% of the co-funded portion of the project. This means that even though state funding may be years off, this future credit could be put towards the second phase of the project.
240221 - New Philadelphia - Sixth Committee Meeting.pdf
After these updates, the committee divided into groups to discuss plan segmentation. The plan includes a new PreK-6 elementary school and a new 7-12 school. Both would replace all the aging school buildings in the district. The broad majority of the committee felt this plan would be the best plan for the next generation of New Philadelphia City School students.
The groups discussed which was the most important segment to address first, either a new PreK-6 or a new 7-12 school.
Preliminary costs for a new PreK-6 school, including the abatement and demolition of the existing elementary schools is approximately $72 Million.
Preliminary costs for a new 7-12 school which includes the abatement and demolition of Welty/HS is approximately $74.5 Million.
Locally Funded Initiatives (e.g. land acquisition) would need to be added to the cost of the overall plan.
While some of the details differed between groups, the majority seemed to favor addressing the PreK-6 segment first, with the future credit being used to address the rest of the plan.
Four meetings are scheduled across March and April to finalize decisions around Locally Funded Initiatives, such as auditoriums, future land acquisition, site and road improvements or constructing additional square footage to accommodate district growth.
As the group narrows in on the plan, we still want to hear your feedback and look forward to seeing you in March!
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