An Ohio commission will ask the Controlling Board on Monday for release of $100 million from lottery profits to finance more than 30 school district projects.
The Ohio School Facilities Commission (SFC) is asking for approval of $100 million from a larger $350 million sum approved in a mid-biennium review (MBR) bill and the previous capital budget. Bills 130-HB497 (Amstutz) and 130-HB492 (Scherer) provide for the commission to receive the money for the Classroom Facilities Assistance Program through the Lottery Profits Education Fund.
The commission is seeking release of the $100 million that will come partially from video lottery terminal licensing fees from the Ohio Lottery, according to the request. The requested amount “will be used to provide the state share of basic project costs” to school districts approved by the SFC.
A district’s relative wealth “as measured through its three-year average adjusted valuation per pupil and the need to replace classroom facilities as assessed by SFC” are the determinants for its eligibility and priority in the program. The appropriation would fund 38 school districts.