An Update on the Transformation Plan,
School Finances, and the Vision for Education
Facilities Plan for 21st Century Learning
Presentation to the Citizens of Sandusky, Ohio
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Sandusky High School Cafeteria
6:00 pm
THANK YOU TO THE
SANDUSKY COMMUNITY
Gina Deppert, Brigitte Green-Churchwell, Martha Murray,
Jeff Krabill, Kate Vargo, Thomas Patterson, and Dr. Eugene T.W. Sanders
PRIDE
PURPOSE:
TRADITION
EXCELLENCE
The purpose of our meeting is to update the Citizens of
Sandusky, Ohio about the upcoming proposals regarding the Transformation
Plan, Financial Status, and the 2016 School Facilities Vision for the Sandusky
City Schools.
GOALS FOR OUR MEETING TODAY:
1. Provide an overview of activities since November 2014 that has resulted in the
facilities proposals and an overview of the district’s financial stability.
2. Communicate that the facilities recommendation is based on the district's
academic goals, called The Transformation Plan.
3. Communicate all of the significant aspects of the facilities plan, including
the rationale, vision, logic, configuration, proposals, options on location, the
historic nature of this facilities opportunity, and our partnership with Ohio
Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC).
4. Provide comprehensive details on all cost factors associated with the proposals.
5. Continue our commitment to transparency and open dialogue on all issues
associated with the facilities vision and to post all comments and questions on
our website for observation and review by all members of the community.
FINANCIALS
•
Sandusky City Schools General Fund Cash
Balance expected to continue to increase
each year.
•
The General Fund Cash Balances are used
as a “Rainy Day” reserve fund to offset
emergencies.
•
The Ohio Department of Education has
increased funding to the district
approximately 7.5% for the current school
year.
•
The Five Year Financial Forecast for the
operating budget is projecting Sandusky
City School to continue to remain financially
stable
GENERAL FUND OPERATING REVENUE
TOTAL: $44,522,056
Other Revenue
$6,680,849
15%
State Education Aid
$19,068,579
43%
Local Property Taxes
$18,772,628
42%
KEY TERMS TO UNDERSTAND
•
Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC): A state agency in Columbus
created to work with local school districts to build and renovate schools in the
state of Ohio, as a result of the tobacco settlement dollars. Two key roles for the
OFCC with our district will be to work as a partner with SCS to build schools and
determine the percentage of local share that taxpayers will pay to receive the
state share to build new buildings.
•
Co-Funded Percentage: A co-funding percentage is determined by OFCC that
will split the cost of the facilities program with the local school district citizens and
the State of Ohio. The current cost sharing percentage for the Sandusky City
School Residents is 36% and the State share is 64%.
•
Local Funded Initiative (LFI): A cost that is not shared by the State of Ohio (OFCC)
for the facilities program. This is a cost that the district citizens must cover 100% of
the cost for items that the State will not co-fund based on the OFCC rules.
Examples of facilities not co-funded include auditoriums, swimming pools,
athletics facilities, and PreK rooms.
KEY TERMS TO UNDERSTAND (cont.)
•
STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics
•
Maintenance Millage: All OFCC projects in Ohio are required to have a financial
amount set aside in order to ensure that there are dedicated funds to address
building maintenance for the newly built facilities in the district. The OFCC (State
of Ohio) has a required millage of .50 (or one-half mill).
•
Abatement/Demo Budget: A specific financial amount will be dedicated to
abating and demolishing school buildings and is a separate part of the each
presented proposal.
CORE DESIGN VALUES OF THE FACILITIES VISION
•
Emphasis on centralizing educational classes and students as a collective group
(grade level being organized together to enhance educational attainment)
•
Science labs at Sandusky High School to support the STEAM initiative (upgrade
science labs at SHS for the first time since 1957)
•
A commitment to PreK education for early childhood development
•
Identifying Local Funded Initiative investments that support long-term goals for
students and families
•
Investment in the Frohman Planetarium to upgrade to a 21st Science Center
Learning Facility
•
Partner with the City of Sandusky and interested business, civic, and social
agencies to identify a purpose for historic buildings in the district
CORE DESIGN VALUES OF THE FACILITIES VISION (cont.)
•
Room 300 and Room 301 at Sandusky High School redesigned for an enhanced
learning environment
•
Seek input and feedback on the facilities vision
•
Communicate the facilities vision as a key economic and historic community
development opportunity
•
Present a consensus plan to the Board of Education for a formal partnership
agreement with OFCC by Thursday, April 7, 2016
•
Consider placing a bond issue on the ballot for consideration for November 2016
Scenario 1: Build a PreK-6 school on the site next to Sandusky High
School. Renovate current science labs at Sandusky High School.
A local funded initiative would include the following upgrades: science labs, upgrades for the Frohman
Planetarium at the Sandusky High School, Rooms 300 and 301 at Sandusky High School and technology
upgrades to include wireless connectivity. This would also cover additional preschool classrooms that are not
funded by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission.
*
**
All millage projections include a required one half mill for maintenance of facilities. This is required by state mandate.
Actual millage will be confirmed by the Erie County Auditor’s Office.
Scenario 2: Build a new PreK-2 at the current Hancock Elementary
site, and build a new 3-6 on the current Ontario Elementary site.
Renovate current science labs at Sandusky High School.
A local funded initiative would include the following upgrades: science labs, upgrades for the Frohman
Planetarium at the Sandusky High School, Rooms 300 and 301 at Sandusky High School and technology
upgrades to include wireless connectivity. This would also cover additional preschool classrooms that are not
funded by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission.
*
**
All millage projections include a required one half mill for maintenance of facilities. This is required by state mandate.
Actual millage will be confirmed by the Erie County Auditor’s Office.
Scenario 3: Build Global Education Center (GEC) on site next to
Sandusky High School with indoor track and with a 50M swimming
pool. Or build the GEC with a 3-6 building on site and have a PreK-2
building at either current Ontario Elementary or current Hancock
Elementary.
A local funded initiative would include the following upgrades: science labs, upgrades for the Frohman
Planetarium at the Sandusky High School, Rooms 300 and 301 at Sandusky High School and technology
upgrades to include wireless connectivity. The new PreK-2 building and a new 3-6 building will be co-funded
from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission.
*
**
All millage projections include a required one half mill for maintenance of facilities. This is required by state mandate.
Actual millage will be confirmed by the Erie County Auditor’s Office.
Scenario 4A: Build a new Sandusky High School
This scenario involves demolishing the current Sandusky High School and building a brand new school on the
current site. The construction of a new high school would include the current middle school student population
and would essentially comprise a grade 7-12 configuration. Based upon the current square footage of the
building, which is 380,000 square feet, the new high school would be reduced by 65,000 square feet because of
the smaller enrollment numbers. In this scenario, Ohio Facilities Construction Commission would not co-fund the
construction of a new auditorium, auxiliary gym, and natatorium.
*
**
All millage projections include a required one half mill for maintenance of facilities. This is required by state mandate.
Actual millage will be confirmed by the Erie County Auditor’s Office.
Scenario 4B: Renovate the Current Sandusky High School
This scenario involves renovating the entire Sandusky High School. Renovation essentially means a new heating
and air conditioning system and renovating the current structure. The renovation of our current high school
would include the current middle school student population and would essentially be a grade 7-12
configuration. Based upon the current 380,000 square footage building, a renovated high school would cost
additional Local Funded Initiative because our student enrollment is less than the square footage that Ohio
Facilities Construction Commission will co-fund, resulting in additional cost to renovate the building. The required
Local Funded Initiative for renovation will be $18,320,542.00.
*
**
All millage projections include a required one half mill for maintenance of facilities. This is required by state mandate.
Actual millage will be confirmed by the Erie County Auditor’s Office.
POTENTIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR ALL DISTRICT FACILTIES
BASED ON VARIOUS SCENARIO OPTIONS
•
Hancock Elementary and Ontario Elementary Schools will have new buildings,
demolished, or repurposed for investment options based on the presented scenarios
•
Mills Elementary School to be repurposed into the Adult Education and Career Center
for Sandusky City Schools (allowing more space for Sandusky Middle School students)
•
Osborne Elementary Schools identified as a repurposed facility in partnership with the
City of Sandusky (potential repurpose as a mixed-used senior citizens facility)
•
Venice Heights Elementary School to be repurposed into the Regional Center for
Advanced Academic Studies (full-time gifted center with expansion options for
program development)
•
Jackson Junior High facility identified as a partial demolition, with goal of capitalizing
on retaining the gymnasium and auditorium, and potential use as a transitional space
•
Adams Junior High facility retained as a educational option and transitional space
(retain vision for the Sandusky Digital Academy)
KEY NEXT STEPS AND TIMELINE
•
Share and receive feedback from internal and external stakeholders (SCS faculty
and staff, parents, students, business leaders, faith leader, elected officials, and
interested citizens)
•
Brief the Editorial Board of the Sandusky Register
•
Communicate the facilities vision via district website, social media, and related
local communications outlets
•
Conduct community forums in January, February and March
•
Communicate the key timeline of Thursday, April 7, 2016 as the date for the
Board of Education to formalize a vote to partner with OFCC and the selection of
a building scenario and specific locations
•
Communicate and seek feedback at monthly school board meetings in
February, March, and April 2016