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Superintendent outlines budget concerns in Columbus and progress on Monroe construction projects
Summary
Superintendent Robert Buskirk briefed the board on state budget negotiations impacting school funding, urged attention to property tax issues, and updated the board on design and construction steps for the jail-gym infill and the new high school.
Superintendent Robert Buskirk told the Monroe Local Schools Board of Education that the governor’s proposed budget and other state-level proposals have major implications for the district and that district leaders have been communicating priorities to legislators and county partners.
Buskirk said district leaders and county superintendents met with an ESC representative and that lawmakers were not fully aware of the district-level impacts of changes to property-tax policy and categorical funding. He described three priorities discussed with legislators: property-tax relief for homeowners (including expanding homestead-like credits), protecting the 20‑mill floor, and increasing categorical funding for special education and other high-cost student categories.
Buskirk gave specific figures for special education: “our expenses are about $6,000,000 for special education expenses,” and the district receives “about 1.2” (million) from the state, creating a substantial funding gap that the district asked legislators to consider when adjusting categorical funding.
On facilities, Buskirk said the district selected Fanning Howie as the architect for the new high school and will interview construction-manager-at-risk (CMR) firms—Robertson (Columbus), Conger (Warren County) and Grebach (Cincinnati)—on April 17. He said the gym infill project will begin with fencing going up possibly this week and that demolition inside the gym is scheduled to start next week. Buskirk described the planned classroom conversion in the jail-gym area: four full-size classrooms and small-group rooms on each floor with operable walls on the first floor, roughly 25 students per classroom and about 100 students capacity per floor; the district expects the renovated spaces to open in January of the next school year.
Buskirk also said the district will work with OFCC (Ohio Facilities Construction Commission) for Classroom Facilities Assistance Program (CFAP) Segment 1 and that the board will see contract and funding steps in coming meetings. He noted planned county-level tax-reform conversations and participation by district staff at a county tax forum.
Board members asked about soundproofing of operable walls and other construction details; Buskirk said the walls are designed for classroom use and are marker-board finish, and staff explained traffic and safety measures while construction is underway.
No formal policy changes were adopted during this update; Buskirk’s remarks were informational and described next steps for architect and CMR selection, CFAP paperwork and short-term construction staging.
