Superintendent's Update

James Garber
ot_jrg@nwoca.org  
 

Thank you for your patience as we work through the many changes necessitated by our tough economic times and declining enrollment.  Failure to pass the May levy attempt resulted in the closing of an elementary school and the assignment of sixth graders to the junior high.  I am confident our staff and students will make these changes work.  I am looking forward to another successful academic year at Otsego.  We have great students and are proud of their many accomplishments.

As you probably know, the Board has decided to proceed with a building program through a lease-purchase program.  In my opinion, these tough times are the reason we must proceed at this point.

We can do this without incurring additional cost to the school budget!  Eliminating the additional costs of running three buildings can pay for the construction costs.   

·        Tens of millions of dollars were at stake!  We can claim $14,244,973 credit to complete our project.  When the project is finished, Ohio will have contributed $22,185,621 to the district.  Shortly before the Board decided to proceed it received a letter from Michael Shoemaker, Executive Director of the Ohio School Facility Commission.  His letter stated, “Should you elect to forego participation in the program this year, please be aware you may do so, but we cannot give any assurance as to when your

School District would next be eligible for funding.”  (From a letter written June 16, 2009)  ·   Low cost to local taxpayers.  Cost to local taxpayers for the remainder of the project is only $3,906,899.  The construction cost for three elementary schools would have been $12,174,432.  (compared to $3,906,899 for a central campus)  

·        Stimulus money is now available.  We have qualified for stimulus money to cover the interest in our building program.  Stimulus money will be exhausted in the near future.

·        The enrollment has dropped*.  It would be nice to have an elementary school in every village including Tontogany, but the cost is too great!  Taxpayers cannot afford nor have they demonstrated the desire to provide the additional costs of multiple buildings.  It costs more to operated three buildings.  *Enrollment for grades 1 through 6:  2008 – 686.    1998 – 731.    1988 – 833. 

Our students deserve improved facilities!  The plan also calls for major improvements at the junior high.  (the old high school building)

OHIO SCHOOL FACILITIES COMMISSION
CLASSROOM FACILITIES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

SCOPE OF THE PROJECT – PHASE 2:

 Build one new elementary school to house grades PK through 5.  Renovations to 1963 and 1979 additions of Otsego Junior High School to house grades 6 through 8.  Allowance to abate and demolish Grand Rapids, Haskins, and Weston Elementary Schools.

Credit for ELLP Expenditures of $14,244,973 (from Phase 1) applied to Local Share Portion of Phase 2 results in:

Project Components:

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