Lakota board approves OFCC partnership and delays levy collection until 2029; master plan prioritizes phased school replacements

On July 21 the Lakota Board of Education approved an expedited local partnership project agreement with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission and a companion resolution to delay collection of bond and permanent-improvement levy revenues until tax year 2028, with collection beginning in calendar year 2029 if voters approve the measures. The board voted by roll call in support of both items (5–0).

Architect Tom Fernandez of Elevar, joined by lead planner Lisa Cameron Galli, told the board the plan lets the district spend local funds now, receive credit from the state’s Classroom Facilities Assistance Program (CFAP) and ultimately recover an estimated 32% of eligible project costs when state funds become available. “Essentially 32% of the total dollars that encompass the master plan agreement will come from the state eventually,” Fernandez said.

Why it matters: The district’s master plan calls for a mix of new construction, additions and renovations across elementary, middle and high schools. Under the expedited local partnership program the district can “fast forward” local construction, accrue state credits for work that meets the state program’s standards and then use those credits when the state allocates CFAP funds—potentially five to seven years from now, Fernandez said.

Key details from the presentation and discussion: - State credit and timeline: The consultant said the projected state funding could arrive in about five to seven years; credits are earned as the district completes locally funded work and are applied later when CFAP funds are available. - Local Funded Initiatives (LFIs) and inflation: The recommended project budget includes LFIs—locally funded elements that exceed the state’s minimum standard—and contingency funds for inflation across the multi‑year project. - Phasing and schedule: Fernandez said the high‑school phase additions and renovations are scheduled to complete in 2028, with the elementary projects coming online in 2029. The district also expects to provide some elementary relief earlier by reconfiguring grade assignments (for example, moving sixth grade into junior high for the 2028–29 school year). - Cost considerations: The consultants explained that renovations that exceed two‑thirds of the cost of building new often point districts toward replacement; they cited typical renovation estimates of roughly $20–30 million per building in the district and higher figures (one example cited was about $78 million) for more complex campuses. Fernandez said districts usually exceed state minimums to reflect local program needs and community expectations. - Legal/financial consequence of ignoring state assessment: If a district chooses to renovate rather than follow the state’s replacement recommendation, the state still supports base renovation work but may not pay above the state-determined levels; the district could cover the remainder.

Board action and votes: The board approved the OFCC expedited local partnership program project agreement (agenda item 8b) and then approved a resolution declaring intent to delay levy collections until tax year 2028/collection year 2029 (agenda item 8c). Both votes were taken by roll call: Miss Casper — Yes; Miss French — Yes; Mr. D — Yes; Mr. Horton — Yes; Miss Schaefer — Yes.

The board and consultants said the delay resolution and phased approach aim to limit immediate tax burdens on residents while preserving eligibility for state reimbursement through CFAP. The district will continue outreach and factual informational sessions for the community in the fall under the “Building Our Future” series to explain scope, phasing and probable impacts.