Ohio Controlling Board OKs state-funding for Massillon Schools building project
MASSILLON – The proposed Massillon City Schools building project cleared its last state funding hurdle earlier this month when the Ohio Controlling Board approved the release of finances for the effort.
On Wednesday, the Board of Education approved a resolution to accept funding from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission to help construct two new elementary schools.
The Ohio Controlling Board on Jan. 10 approved the release of the funds for the Classroom Facilities Assistance Program project.
More: Massillon schools one step closer to new elementary schools
More: Massillon poised to build 2 elementary schools without new tax dollars
The state will contribute $15,219,211 for two new elementary schools to house students in pre-kindergarten through third grade and abate and demolish Frankin, Gorrell and Whittier elementary schools.
The location of the schools has not been determined but officials said one school will be constructed on the city's west side and the other on the east side.
The district will provide $5,717,174 for the $20,936,385 project.
The total cost of the project is $45,026,586. The district will contribute an additional $24,090,20 for locally-funded initiatives not funded by the state.
For instance, the district might decide to widen hallways within the new schools, add classrooms, and make the entrance and parking lots larger. Those costs are not supported by the state's funding formula.
The district has been in talks with the state for years about the effort. The district will not seek a new bond issue or levy tax dollars to finance the work. In anticipation of addressing the district's aging elementary schools, leaders opted to set aside money for future projects.
More: New Massillon elementary schools one step closer with OFCC funding approval
In other business, the board also approved increasing the rate from $9.25 to $9.55 per hour for substitute aides, substitute noon/bus monitors, substitute cooks, substitute crossing guards and substitute secretaries. Superintendent Paul Salvino said the move was made to keep in line with the state's new minimum wage rate of $9.30 per hour.
The board meet again at 5 p.m. Feb. 16 at administrative offices, 930 17th St. NE.
Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.
On Twitter: @aknappINDE2
This article originally appeared on The Independent: Ohio Controlling Board OKs state funding for new Massillon schools
