Why don't we sell the schools that we have closed?

[Betsy Voinovich]

Matt,

Thanks for posting Dr. Madak's summary.

It seems the primary reason we are holding on to some of the vacant properties is so that we can handle the disruption that will take place at the high school.

If I understand correctly, each year Lakewood falls further back in line for OSFC funding based on Ohio Department of Education calculations of the district's three year average "adjusted valuation per pupil," and the percentage of funding decreases.

As we wait "for our number to come up" with OSFC, I would like to see the board take action to split the completion of the high school from the elementary school projects so that we can move forward. I was told during Phase III by Treasurer, Rick Berdine that this could not be done because some of the funds needed would have to come from OSFC. Now that the numbers (enrollment and funding) have changed, this may no longer hold up or justify delaying the high school renovation.

With all of the issues surrounding the elementary school projects, there seems a much greater chance of passing a bond issue that is exclusively tied to the completion of the high school.

Meg

Meg,

I'm with you. There is all of this debate surrounding our elementary schools-- our enrollment numbers, uses of schools that were overbuilt that must house programs like ABLE, keeping schools that are in neighborhoods that don't have a lot of families and cost 12 million dollars more to renovate etc.

All of the kids in Lakewood that are going to public school are headed to Lakewood High School. Everyone wants our high school finished.

A bond issue for that would probably pass, withOUT the Ohio School Facilities Commission's funds. I think it would be good for the mental health of all of the citizens of Lakewood if instead of having Lakewood High held hostage to "our number coming up" on the OSFC's long list, we took care of it ourselves.

Betsy Voinovich

[Ellen Cormier]

I am on board with what ever it takes to finish the high school! This project in two parts has become a nightmare. The way it's going now my son will spend his entire high school career in an unfinished project and we have to live in a pot holed street for years and years doing who knows what kind of damage to our cars.

And again I am concerned the longer this goes the more likely someone is going to get hurt crossing Franklin 20 times a day. I've had my car totaled at that intersection and when I was in high school a girl was hit by a car crossing there. she wasn't killed but had pretty serious injuries.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Ellen

You are absolutely correct.

We must finish the high school.

Through all this other conversation, and with the up-coming school boar elections, we must
stay the course and make sure the high school is finished.

I find the laws confusing on all of these laws and the break down. But one thing I saw that
jumped off the pages is that once a plan is approved by the OSFC the community has 23
years to finish it, if it is a large project. While I am not saying back burner the entire project,
as it also seems like we would take a big hit, breaking the project up right now. Basically
losing 13% of what the state pays, for only what they find needed, in the rest of the project.
Concentrate on finishing the high school.

It would be interesting to find out exactly what the state owes us to date? What has been
paid if anything? I read one letter recently that stated a a damn good number that would
pay for a lot of what is left. What are our options if we stop right now? Do they owe us
enough to finish the highschool? and rehab one school? Or to build one super school?

As that is our money it would be interesting to put the players at a table and see if the city
is ripe for a landswap with maybe some cash thrown in deal. If I am not mistaken, and
if the economy is improving. Taft, McKinley, Lincoln, Grant, for Kaufman Park, and Madison
might work. Put in that at least 50% of Kaufman must remain green space that can be
accessed by the community.

FWIW