The Delaware County Redevelopment Commission voted May 8 to approve $95,000 to Cowan Community Schools for upgraded classroom access controls and related facility improvements.

Cowan Community Schools representative Jay Connelly told commissioners the district serves about 731 students and outlined a three-year facilities plan, saying the immediate request — roughly $95,000 — would fund rekeying classroom and exterior doors with fob-access technology and related safety features. "We're going to lose about 6% of our operations fund each year due to changes in Senate Bill 1," Connelly said, adding circuit breaker losses would compound cuts to operations. "So a combined loss of approximately 13% each year in operations."

The request was framed as one element of several facility projects the district is funding with bonds and rainy-day money, including roof and HVAC work, LED lighting retrofits and playground and gym repairs. Connelly said the access-system work would allow a teacher to "deactivate the lock from the outside" in an emergency and that the district plans a phased three-year program to address lockers, flooring and interior upgrades.

Commissioner Henry moved to approve the $95,000 grant; the motion was seconded by Mister Brand and passed on a roll call vote with commissioners voting yes. The school representative said the district would return to the commission with updates as projects progress and as additional funding requests arise.

Why it matters: The allocation directs county redevelopment funds to a local K–12 district that says it faces multi-year operating revenue pressures tied to recent state-level tax and funding changes. The commission indicated the likely TIF source for the award and discussed timing to accommodate the district's capital schedule.

The commission did not change policy or adopt new grant rules at the meeting; the action was a one-time approval of the Cowan request.