By Rick Palsgrove
Groveport Editor
The Groveport Madison Board of Education approved a $990,136 contract with VSWC Architects for services regarding the district’s Capital Improvements Project.
The project includes a $4.6 million new bus garage (to be located on district-owned land at the northeast corner of Bixby and Hendron roads abutting Three Creeks Metro Park) and the $4.2 million repurposing of the District Service Center – including a health center, a Welcome Center, social services, truancy officers, Franklin County Job and Family Services, and community meeting space.
The project also includes $1.7 million for new roofs at Middle School South, Glendening Elementary, and Dunloe Elementary.
“In partnership with Primary One Health, Groveport Madison Schools will use a $3 million state grant and $7 million of our federal stimulus funds to renovate a portion of the District Service Center to offer expanded services beyond anything we thought possible,” said Groveport Madison Superintendent Garilee Ogden. “This project will be part of a more significant endeavor to relocate our transportation center into a larger, off-site location. The first phase of the project will include constructing the health center, where students and the community will be able to get health screenings, immunizations, physicals, primary care, and comprehensive oral health and vision services.”
She said there is “overwhelming evidence” that students who receive essential preventative and primary care services are more likely to be attentive, successful learners.
“Healthy students are better at all levels of academic achievement: academic performance, behavior, cognitive skills, attitudes, and their ability to cope and adapt to various life challenges,” said Ogden. “We’re delighted to partner with Primary One Health and to let you know that the new health center will open in March of next year.”
Ogden said the second phase of the project includes the addition of behavioral health services, support for substance use disorders, health education, and the inclusion of services and support from Franklin County Jobs and Family Services. The renovated space will include a District Welcome Center, where the district will relocate its enrollment office, social workers, and support for families experiencing homelessness whose children attend Groveport Madison Schools.
“We are so excited for this opportunity and the potential positive impact it can make for our students, schools, and the Groveport Madison community as a whole,” said Ogden.
Groveport Mayor Lance Westcamp and members of Groveport City Council recently presented the Groveport Madison Board of Education with an income tax revenue sharing check from the city of Groveport for $1.2 million. This amount represents payments made in lieu of taxes paid on abated properties within the city of Groveport over the last year. Pictured here, from left to right, are: board member Libby Gray, board member LaToya Dowdell-Burger, Mayor Lance Westcamp, board member Chris Snyder, councilwoman Becky Hutson, councilman Scott Lockett, councilman Shawn Cleary, board member Kathleen Walsh, and board member Seth Bower.
City shares income tax revenue
City of Groveport officials presented an income tax revenue sharing check from the city of Groveport for $1.2 million to Groveport Madison Schools on March 23.
According to Groveport Finance Director Jason Carr, the check is generated from, “Income tax withholdings for companies that may operate within the city’s Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) #1-5.”
Carr said the city issues income tax revenue sharing checks to Groveport Madison Schools once per year. He said the last time the city issued two income tax revenue sharing checks in one year was 2015.
According to Carr, since 1999 the city has shared a total of $21.9 million in income tax revenue sharing with Groveport Madison Schools.
“Our community is a great place to live and our schools help us to succeed,” said Groveport Mayor Lance Westcamp.
Groveport Madison Schools Treasurer Felicia Drummey said the district is appreciative of the city’s efforts to help make sure the school district is held harmless when agreeing to abate commercial property.
“The income tax revenue sharing is an unrestricted revenue source that is deposited directly into our general fund for support of operating expenses,” said Drummey. “This revenue stream is included in the district’s forecast projections and does not represent new money.”
