District awaiting response on the release of funds for the new elementary buildings

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 5, 2025

District awaiting response on the release of funds for the new elementary buildings

Franklin City Schools is waiting for word from the state of Ohio on when monies will be released for the construction of the three new elementary buildings. Dr. Mike Sander and the administration are in frequent contact with state representatives to advocate for the release of funds as soon as possible. 

“We have done what we need to do,” said Dr. Sander, superintendent of schools. “Unfortunately we have no control over when the state will release the funds. It depends how much money the state puts into the biennial budget for new building construction. Inflation has also affected how far the funds that they’re allocating will go, so fewer projects are being funded each year. The state has also begun to allocate construction funds to private schools.”

Franklin voters passed a bond issue in November 2020 for the construction of a new high school, renovation of the high school into a junior high school, and the construction of three new elementary buildings. The state of Ohio will pay 57% of the cost of the new classroom buildings through the Expedited Local Partnership Program, which required the district to pass a bond issue for its share of the new construction. When the project began, the district was told that it would be seven to nine years before we would receive funds. As such, it was expected that the district would be in the planning stages of the building project this year. However, the latest word from the state is that the funds could be held for another seven to nine years. 

“We are very disappointed that we aren’t closer to having new buildings for our elementary students,” said Sander. “As soon as the money is released, we are ready to start the process.” In the meantime, the district is continuing to review every option for the layout of our current buildings, taking into consideration space availability and future sites of the new elementary schools. Presently, this review includes exploring options available if the current levy on the ballot on May 6 would pass.