a premier learning community

A Premier Learning

Community

Building Our Future Together

North Olmsted City Schools

Board of Education Mtg.

Thursday, June 5, 20147:00 p.m.

A Premier Learning

Community


Purpose and OverviewA key goal of the District Strategic Plan adopted in January, 2014, was to convene a Facilities Task Force to study historical data and possible options for a comprehensive facility plan that would maximize resources, improve operational efficiency and provide a building plan to support a Premier Learning Community.

A Premier Learning

Community


North Olmsted City Schools

Strategic Plan

The 2020 Initiative:Building Our Future

Together

Adopted January, 2014

A Premier Learning

Community


The 2020 Initiative:Building Our Future Together

Goal 1 – Facilities“Our buildings are inefficient, require extensive maintenance and are not cost effective. We have not invested in new facilities in almost 50 yrs. Do our current facilities and operational structure meet the demands and future needs of our students for a 21st century education?”

A Premier Learning

Community


The 2020 Initiative:Building Our Future Together

Goal 1 – FacilitiesConduct a comprehensive master plan

and renovation study of all district facilities.

Commission professional architectural services

Conduct a needs assessment Convene a steering committee/task force of

key community stakeholders to work on this goal

Make recommendations to the Board of Education

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Facilities Task Force Purpose Task Force was charged with studying the data

and facts to address serious facility issues with emphasis on the 84 year old Middle School.

Task Force included members from the community, parents, business, city officials, staff, administration and Board of Education.

Task Force looked at a number of options, costs, scenarios, pros and cons, and community concerns

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Timeline for Task ForceMarch, 2014 Form Facilities Task Force Complete Assessment Validation Form Subcommittees of Task Force

(Education; Communication; Physical Plant) Develop Community Survey (Fallon Survey) Develop Staff Surveys (AVG) Review Historical Data Review Previous Master Plans Develop Capacity Studies Review Capacity Studies

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Timeline for Task Force April, 2014

Analyze Community Surveys Analyze Staff Surveys Develop Master Plan Options/Costs Host Community Forum (April 28th)

(Move building tours to May or June)

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Timeline for Task ForceMay, 2014 Analyze Feedback from Community

Forum Review/Restructure Master Plans Review Proposed Millage Review Costs for Athletic Complex Review Costs for Performing Arts

CenterJune, 2014 Review Process and Plan Proposal Review Board Presentation Present Proposal to Board of

Education

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Meeting Dates - Task ForceIntroductory Meeting:2/24/2014

3/10/2014 4/22/2014 5/12/143/20/2014 4/28/2014 5/19/20144/14/2014 5/5/2014 6/3/2014 Task Force members attended and participated in the Community Forum and BOE meeting follow-up for additional public participation.

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Task Force Meetings Reviewed Historical Data/Master

Plans Completed Assessment Validation Developed and Reviewed Enrollment

and Capacity Studies Reviewed Possible Options and Costs Developed Master Plan Options Community Forum Reviewed Feedback from Community

Forum Studied the pros and cons of new

versus renovation and associated costs (see next slide)



The Task Force reviewed infrastructure needs. The average age of our 9 buildings is 54 years old. The Middle School is 84 years old. Maintenance, upgrade and repair costs are a serious concern and involve: Plumbing/Pipes Roofs HVAC Systems Electrical Technology Safety and Security ADA Compliance Ceilings, Floorings, Casework Frames, Doors, Hardware

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Task Force MeetingsThe Task Force studied Enrollment Trends and Projections and came to consensus on a major part of the comprehensive plan:Enrollment has dropped from 8,000 students in the 60’s and 70’s to 4,000 students and we still have the same number of buildings (9) as we did at peak enrollment. It is an unsustainable business model and does not make good use of our taxpayer dollars and resources. We need to reduce the number of buildings.

(see enrollment slide)



Barriers to Teaching and Learning

Staff Comments

“We are trying to prepare our students for 21st century learning using outdated technology. We are not equipped to run needed technology for our lessons using power strips in classrooms with limited outlets.”

“The pod setting in the elementary buildings creates distractions for students and makes it difficult to focus during instruction.”




Staff Comments

“Heating and cooling issues are real barriers to teaching – the heat soars to 90 degrees and students just can’t focus – it is literally unbearable!”

“Handicapped access for both the students and their parents and grandparents is not available at the Middle School with a gym on the second floor.”




Staff Comments

“The Middle School is falling apart around us. The holes in the roof are leaking and it is not healthy for the students or the staff. The science classrooms are not ‘labs’ and there is no water readily available to do a true science lesson. Our children deserve better.”



Unique Opportunity from Ohio Facilities Construction Commission:

North Olmsted Middle School is ranked 3rd in the state in terms of need for replacement in the Exceptional Needs Program for state funding.

The OFCC will provide $8,987,528 of the cost of new construction as long as the building serves the middle school population.

The district has from July 2014 to August 2015 to raise the balance of the funds needed.



Executive Summary The average age of our 9 buildings is 54 yrs.

old. The Middle School is 84 yrs. old. Average cost to repair buildings to current

state standards is >66% of replacement value.

The estimated cost to renovate our district is over $100 million.

The estimated cost to renovate just the High School and Middle School is approximately $53 million.

Note: This is just for basic infrastructure renovations and does not include any extras.



Executive Summary The Task Force concluded that the current

district operating model is inefficient, costly and unsustainable.

In order to maximize resources and use taxpayer dollars efficiently, the Task Force recommends taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) through their Exceptional Needs Program (ENP).



Executive Summary The Task Force is recommending that the district take

advantage of the State contribution of $8,987,528 and build a new 21st century 6 – 12 educational campus that includes a Performing Arts Center and Athletic Complex.

The Task Force believes the district has a unique opportunity to build a 21st century educational campus that will positively and cost effectively impact over half of our student population.

The Task Force recognizes and supports the positive impact the project will have in serving the current residents, attracting new families, providing tangible return on taxpayer investment, and fostering economic vitality and development for the greater North Olmsted community.



Executive SummaryRecommendationPhase 1Construct a new 21st century 6-12 educational campus which includes a Performing Arts Center and Athletic Complex on the existing 55 acre Middle School/High School site.

Phase 2Reorganize the remaining schools into three or four PreK-5 neighborhood school buildings.



Cost Breakdown: Total for 6-12 Campus $89,564,067Less State Contribution ($ 8,987,528)Total Local Cost $80,576,539

*Total estimated millage 5.469(*Total estimated millage for campus proposal as of 6/5/2014. Estimated millage does not include the OFCC one-half mill maintenance set aside requirement)



Annual Taxes per $100,000 of Market Value:

Total Annual Cost $191.41Cost per month: $ 15.95

Estimated average millage: 5.469

Senior citizen residents (over age of 65) who are eligible for the Homestead Exemption will receive an annual tax credit of $41.87 reducing their annual total cost to $149.54.



Executive SummaryPhase 1 – Rationale The Middle School is well past the stage where it makes

sense to “renovate” and has become a money drain with no return on the resources invested. The repairs and maintenance will be ongoing in an effort to “band-aid” the building and keep it functional.

The OFCC identified health and safety concerns as one of the criteria for identifying the Middle School as an “Exceptional Needs” facility in need of replacement.

The Middle School does not meet current mandates for student success especially in the area of technology.

We have too many buildings for the number of students we serve which is adding to our operating costs.



Executive SummaryPhase 1 – Rationale Take advantage of the opportunity to receive $8,987,528

from the State to construct a new 21st century 6 – 12 educational campus that includes a Performing Arts Center and Athletic Complex.

Creates a campus where students and parents come together for 7 years leading to stronger involvement and increased pride in their schools.

Reduces the number of building transitions for students resulting in better acclimation to new staff, routines, and expectations.

Capitalizes on the excellent reputation of our schools and increases the value of our homes and greater community.



Executive SummaryPhase 1 – Rationale The building will be designed to segregate grades 6-8

and 9-12 into separate wings with separate entrances. Creates educational opportunities for all 6-12 students

across grade levels such as grade or subject acceleration, enrichment, intervention, mentoring and peer tutoring while minimizing disruptions in the regular school day.

Provides savings on current costs related to staffing, utilities, building maintenance, transportation, overhead and other operational expenses.



Executive SummaryPhase 1 – Rationale

Improves operational efficiencies and investment of taxpayer dollars into a new facility instead of wasting taxpayer money on expensive repairs – with no enhancements or provisions for meeting 21st century educational requirements.

We have the opportunity to develop our campus for 21st century learning – with money from the state to help defray the cost –with a plan that makes sense and provides a good return on our taxpayer investment.



Executive SummaryPhase 2 – Rationale Reduces the footprint of the district by four or five

locations with approximately $2 million annually in cost savings.

Creates a Pre-K – 5 elementary school in each geographic area of the city (east, central, west) minimizing building transitions and strengthening parental involvement.

Provides additional cost savings related to increased efficiencies in operations, utilities, building maintenance, staffing, food service and transportation.



Final Thoughts What we have now is inefficient, costly and unsustainable. Our children and our community deserve better school

facilities to face the increasing challenges of the 21st century. Delaying a decision is increasingly costly, compounds the

problem each year and is not a wise use of our resources. Labor and material costs will continue to rise. Interest rates may never be lower than now, thus minimizing

the cost to taxpayers. We have an opportunity to meet 21st century educational

needs and better serve our current residents, attract new families, provide tangible return on taxpayer investment, and foster economic vitality and development for the greater North Olmsted community.



Task Force Recommendation The Facilities Task Force recommends that the Board of

Education take advantage of the opportunity to receive $8,987,528 from the State to construct a new 6 – 12 21st century educational campus that includes a Performing Arts Center and Athletic Complex on the 55 acre site of the current Middle School and High School.

The Facilities Task Force recommends placement of a bond issue to fund the campus as a ballot issue in November, 2014.



A sincere thank you to the Facilities Task Force for their diligent work and time spent studying the data and options for a facility plan that optimizes our resources and best serves the needs of the students and community.

For complete information going forward visit:www.northolmstedschools.org.

http://www.northolmstedschools.org/

a premier learning community

Documents

premier learning community

building plan

community concerns

future togethertimeline

task force members

future needs

future togetherthe

building tours