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CHAMPION – The Ohio School Facilities Commission on Thursday approved chipping in 57 percent of the Champion School District’s proposed $31 million building project.
The money, through the state’s Classroom Facilities Assistance Program, is contingent on the district raising the other 43 percent – $13.79 million.
The district has 13 months to do so, and the Champion Board of Education last month took the first step toward placing a bond issue on the ballot for construction of a new PreK-8 school complex. District officials said earlier this year that it would take voters approving a 4.3-mill bond issue and a 0.5-mill permanent improvement levy in November or May.
Champion Board President Amy Schwab said the board is excited that the district has the opportunity to receive $17.55 million from the state, the most the district has been offered. She said it’s simply the state is returning Champion tax dollars.
Champion officials have held public meetings and received feedback from district residents on the need to replace Central Elementary School and Champion Middle School. Plans have been proposed for a PreK-8 School complex with separate areas for elementary and middle grades.
Under the plan, the 100-year-old Champion Central Elementary School, which houses PreK-4 and Champion Middle School, which houses grades 5-8, would be demolished in favor of a campus setting with separate sections of the new building for the different grade levels.
The bond issue would also pay for renovations at the high school.
Officials said the new building would need 25 acres, with the land belonging to the township south of the high school on state Route 45 as a possible location. The current elementary and middle school sites don’t have the needed space, officials said.
The board has scheduled an executive session 6 p.m. July 17 to discuss possible land purchase. The next regular meeting is scheduled 7 p.m. July 20 at high school media center.
The Ohio Schools Facilities Commission’s architectural team assessed the conditions of the district’s three buildings and determined the elementary and middle school warranted new buildings. The high school was in better shape, but needs renovations, according to the report.
Superintendent Pamela Hood said many public meetings were held with the public and surveys were taken of what direction to take the school district with regards to its buildings.
State Rep. Michael J. O’Brien, D-Warren, said, ”This funding opportunity allows Champion schools to better serve children and families in our community… Educators and staff will now be equipped with the facilities and technology needed to give our youth a world-class education that will set them on track for opportunity and success well into the future.”
Officials have said recent tours at the elementary and middle schools let people see the problems and helped them understand the need for a new building.