State Panel OKs Kenton Schools Proposal

COLUMBUS – The State Controlling Board gave conditional approval for Kenton City Schools’ state-assisted school facilities project, State Representative Jon Cross (R-Kenton) announced today.

“This is another important milestone for this project, which will provide a better teaching environment, improved technology for educational and career advancements as well as providing stronger security for the safety of our children, staff and community,” said Cross, who is a Kenton High School graduate. “I appreciate the State Controlling Board’s action and the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission’s continued work with our local school leaders.”

The work approved today involves construction of a new middle/high school for students in grades 7 through 12, as well as career tech, and an allowance to abate and demolish Oaklief Elementary, Kenton Middle School and Kenton High School.

Nearly $30 million of the project will be funded through state support.

The project is contingent upon local voter approval of a bond issue, which will be on the ballot in November.

Brian Sprang, Vote Yes KCS Campaign Committee Chairman, released this statement regarding the State Controlling Board’s approval of the KCS facilities project announced by Representative Cross.

“We appreciate the support and approval of our plans from the State Controlling Board and Rep. Jon Cross. The building project is a partnership between OFCC and Kenton City Schools. We are grateful for the almost $30,000,000 being provided by the OFCC. In addition to the $30M, the local residents of Kenton City School District will have an opportunity to build a new educational facility for the seventh through twelfth grades which will include those career educational programs currently taught at the former Northwood Elementary. We will seek to maintain a portion of the existing Kenton High School building for district administrative personnel, and build a new performing arts center at the new school campus. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $65,000,000, with our local residents supporting the schools with a $35M bond issue over 37 years.”