Midview talks construction projects, academics at State of the Schools

EATON TWP. — A new athletic facility is not the only capital project on Midview Schools' horizon. In October, the district announced a $27 million overhaul to its athletic facilities, thanks in part to an $8.5 million grant from the Ross Foundation and Cromling family. But during Thursday's State of the Schools address, Superintendent Frank Major said the district is "in line" with the state to build a new high school. The district was notified that it is 19th on the list for state capital project funding, and will see about 55 percent of the new building's cost covered by the state. The other 45 percent of the project — of which a total cost is not yet available — will be covered by a bond, pending voter support. The district's current high school, which has more than 800 students, was built first as a junior high school in 1968, with an addition completed in the mid-1980s. Unlike a new high school, the new athletic facility did not require a bond issue to move forward. Instead, the 70,000-square-foot athletic complex, with its indoor turf field and spaces for wrestling, cheerleading, softball, baseball and an urgent care, will essentially be paid for with a loan. Much like a mortgage, the new athletic center will be paid for over 30 years. Unlike a bond, which requires new revenue streams to cover the debt service, the district will use its Permanent Improvement money, funded by its inside millage revenue, to pay the annual cost. The $8.5 million grant from the Ross Foundation and Cromling Family will pay for the first five years of the facility's debt service, Treasurer Mike Resar explained, as during that time the district will still be paying off the last of the debt issuance used to build North and West elementaries and East Intermediate in 2005. After that, Midview Schools will pay the remaining $18.5 million of the athletic facility project, plus interest, over the next 25 years. Midview receives about $2.5 million in inside millage annually, Resar said, which will cover the loan's principal and interest cost. Major expects the groundbreaking for the facility to be in October, and portions of it to be completed by winter 2027. Beyond the pending construction projects off Capel Road, Major and district staff touched on the district's strategic plan, academics and other programs. Major also clarified a clerical error at the state level that caused its Early Literacy scores to be miscalculated on its most recent state report card. The error saw all of the district's kindergartners marked "off track" for reading, Major explained, which impacted several key components, including its Early Literacy, Gap Closing and Progress scores. Even with the miscalculation (which will not be corrected by the state), the district remained in the top 25 percent of schools in Ohio, and ranked fifth in Lorain County. Like other districts in southern Lorain County, Midview Schools has seen exponential growth due to new housing developments on previously rural lots. While Midview has curtailed its open enrollment – and has no students who live in neighboring districts in kindergarten through fourth grade this year – it has seen 600 new families move into the district. Its current projected enrollment by the 2034-35 school year is about 3,100, Major said, but that does not include another 600 homes in new developments recently approved within the district. It currently has about 2,500 students enrolled. This story has been corrected to reflect the current Midview High School was built as a junior high building in 1968. The prior Midview High School, which has since been demolishd, was builtin 1956. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.