OV enrollment survey could mean additional funds for building project

SOUTH OTSELIC – After receiving an enrollment projection study, the Otselic Valley Board of Education was able to get a better idea of how much state aid they may get if they pursue a capital building project.

According to Superintendent Larry Thomas, the study showed three possible enrollment scenarios for the district. The low projections showed enrollment figures shrinking to approximately 352 students, district wide. The high projections showed the student population reaching 492. Currently the school serves approximately 400 students.

“The study shows that we are most likely going to level out with the number of those graduating out and those coming in at kindergarten. It’s mostly leveled now,” Thomas said. The projections showed the increase at the high end of the spectrum would come from transfers into the district during the upper levels.

The enrollment study was one item the school needed before they could continue looking at a major building project. The OV school district is examining the possibility of creating a combined kindergarten through 12 grade campus. Currently the school is divided between the elementary school in Georgetown and the Junior / Senior High School in South Otselic.

Steve Faisure, a representative from Bearsch Compeau Knudson Architects and Engineers, attended the meeting to give the board an updated look at possible building plans. The combined campus would be created by making renovations and additions to the South Otselic Campus.

According to Faisure, the company had originally calculated a total maximum cost allowance of $11,793,000. The maximum cost allowance calculates aid from the State Education Department. “Due to the aid ratio, anything above that amount is not aidable,” Faisure said. “So we try to keep the total project cost as close to the maximum cost allowance as possible.” Preliminary estimates show a total project cost of $15,557,000, a difference of $3,764,000. Faisure explained that due to the high end enrollment figures, the school may be able to receive an additional $1.5 million in cost allowance, cutting down on the cost to the tax payers.