The Olmsted Falls School District’s ongoing efforts to search for alternative funding methods have led District officials to explore the possibility of securing new State funds made available through the Ohio School Facilities Commission. A new regulation put in place this past August now allows the Ohio School Facilities Commission to make grant dollars available for new construction for qualifying school districts experiencing overcrowding. Previous regulations limited grant funding to school districts with buildings in significant disrepair.

While securing these grant funds may be a long shot, the District’s administration has submitted a solid grant application stating the District’s need for State funding based on current overcrowding. Enrollment in Olmsted Falls School District has increased steadily over the past several years resulting in space issues at all four buildings.

“Being awarded this grant would be a great help to our District, while continuing to demonstrate fiscal resourcefulness to our taxpayers,” said Superintendent Dr. Todd Hoadley.

This past May, residents of the Olmsted communities passed a 2 Mill Bond Issue for the construction of a new intermediate building, as well as select repair and renovation projects at existing buildings. This bond issue was the first step toward resolving space issues District-wide. Specifically, the 2 Mill Bond Issue passed in May will solve existing space issues at the Pre-K to 5th grade levels, where the most pressing need currently exists. However, the District is also experiencing the effects of overcrowding at the Middle School and High School facilities as well. The need for additional classroom space, in those buildings, will also need to be addressed in the not-so-distant future.

“The potential of securing new funds from the Ohio School Facilities Commission would greatly impact the next step in solving our District’s space issues Pre-K to 12,” said Dr. Hoadley. “Olmsted Falls Schools could receive up to $5 million in these new State funds which may prevent another bond issue or, at the least, lower the amount of the next bond issue request.”

Olmsted Falls Schools expects to receive notification on whether the District has made the short list for grant awards by December 31, 2007; final decisions about grant awards are expected to come by the end of the 2007-2008 school year.