Facilities update: bond-funded renovations largely complete; board asked to plan final phases and review CFAB eligibility
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Summary
District facilities staff reported progress on 2019 bond-funded projects (new schools and multiple renovations), identified remaining HVAC/warranty issues and roughly $4 million in unallocated bond funds plus ~$2.2 million interest, and discussed the district's potential eligibility for the state Classroom Facilities Assistance Program (CFAB), which could reimburse about 35 cents per eligible dollar for phase-2 work.
Carrie Dennis and facilities staff presented a comprehensive update on the 2019 facility master plan and bond-funded projects, reviewing completed renovations and new construction at multiple elementary, middle and high schools and describing remaining work, deferred projects and funding options.
Dennis summarized recently completed projects (Anherst/Amherst, Minerva France, River Park Middle, Whittier, Hawthorne, Emerson, Hamby, Longfellow and large phases at South High School) and safety and security upgrades such as secured entryways, integrated cameras and access control. She said three school kitchens were upgraded and are being developed toward "semi-autonomous" cooking models to increase flexibility and local meal preparation.
A facilities presenter explained the district participates in an expedited local partnership program with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission and noted the district could be eligible for the Classroom Facilities Assistance Program (CFAB). The presenter described the CFAB benefit as a partial reimbursement for eligible eligible work: "We are eligible for 35' on the dollar for every dollar that was spent in alignment with their program," the presenter said. If accepted into CFAB, the district would have two years to accept the funding and align a plan to access the money.
Staff identified outstanding items: HVAC tuning and warranty work at Whittier, Hawthorne and South; roughly 8,000 square feet at South High School that was not renovated in earlier phases and may require a final phase for programming or lobby completion; and other deferred capital projects out to bid. They reported approximately $103,000,000 in original bond proceeds, about $4,000,000 currently unallocated and roughly $2,200,000 in interest earnings without an assigned purpose.
Board members and staff agreed to schedule a March work session to review remaining bond funds, interest, potential use of interest to offset high HVAC costs and to discuss priorities should the district become CFAB-eligible. Staff said several projects are at punch-list or warranty stages and that final close-out will follow resolution of HVAC and related items.
The presentation emphasized the facilities committee and board review will be needed to confirm priorities for any phase 2/CFAB work and for use of remaining bond funds.