By Dedra Cordle
Staff Writer
The South-Western City Schools District has renewed its participation in the Win-Win Agreement with the Columbus City School District. However, it will likely be the last time they do so.
At the Aug. 22 meeting, the board of education unanimously approved a bi-lateral agreement that will phase out their annual payments to Columbus City Schools over the next several years.
Under the terms of the agreement, the district will pay what they do now to Columbus City Schools, which is roughly $1.2 million, in May of 2017. In 2018, the district will have to pay 80 percent of that that amount. In 2019, the district will have to pay 60 percent of that amount. Further reductions of 20 percent will take place over the following years.
In 2021, the bi-lateral agreement states that South-Western will no longer have to make annual payments to Columbus City Schools unless agreed upon by both parties.
Treasurer Hugh Garside said he believes that the agreement will be a boon for the South-Western City Schools District.
“This will provide additional financial security to the district,” he said.
Garside added that the agreement will make the border situation permanent, which would allow for stability in future planning.
Prior to the passage of the agreement which phases out payments over time, the district has been a part of the Win-Win agreement with Columbus City Schools for nearly three decades.
Under the terms of that agreement, of which nine additional suburban districts were also involved, the South-Western City Schools District agreed to share 1 percent of tax growth from new commercial development in their boundary area with Columbus City Schools. In turn, Columbus City Schools would not request the transfer of territory located in the city of Columbus into their district.
