Oakwood superintendent says state construction funds available sooner; district will pivot Smith and Harmon projects

Oakwood schools Superintendent reported Aug. 4 that the district is now eligible to receive Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) construction funding earlier than expected and will pivot its OFCC-eligible projects, including the Smith and Harmon projects, to qualify for the funds. The superintendent said the change could allow Oakwood to access state construction dollars “about 29% of eligible project costs as early as next year,” giving the district the opportunity to complete more work sooner and reduce the risk of future funding loss. The district won voter approval for its Phase 2 master facility plan bond in May; the superintendent told the board that because other districts were not ready to use their share of state funds, Oakwood “moved up on the list” and is now eligible to receive its share of OFCC dollars. She said the earlier funding increases the district’s buying power before construction costs rise. The superintendent told the board that to qualify for the funding, Oakwood must “pivot our OFCC eligible projects, including Smith and Harmon, until the 2026 approval process is complete,” and that district staff will continue to work with OFCC and the facilities core team and keep the community informed via board updates, blogs and newsletters. No formal board vote or action was recorded on the report itself; the superintendent presented the information as an update and request for continued coordination. The district did not publish a final construction schedule at the meeting. Background: the OFCC administers state construction funding for school facilities in Ohio. The superintendent characterized the timing as a “major win for Oakwood schools” because it accelerates access to state construction assistance that the district had expected to receive later in its facilities timetable. The board did not adopt a separate motion at the meeting to alter bond usage or to commit specific district funds; the superintendent said staff would return with updates as the OFCC approval process proceeds.