Ohio Approves $450M for Nine New K–12 Schools

The commission that oversees school construction in the State of Ohio recently approved more than $242 million in state funds for the construction of nine new K–12 schools around the state. This figure combines with $208 million in local funds to set up $450 million in Ohio public education construction work. The spending package is the second of two that have been approved for educational facilities’ construction and renovation since the easing of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission announced funding for multiple projects. These include $117 million to Cleveland city schools for two new PreK–8 buildings, a new high school, and renovations to a middle school (including $37.5 million in local funds); $103.2 million to Lancaster city schools for a new high school housing a career tech program (including $56.8 million in local funding); and $29 million for Metro Early College High School in Columbus, which is currently a K–12 STEM school that will relocate to a renovated Columbus middle school.

“We are pleased to support these local projects that will provide area students with an upgraded school environment and new learning opportunities,” said Ohio Gov. Mark DeWine. “Today’s OFCC action will continue to move education forward for many students throughout Ohio.”

The commission already approved $336 million in April for six K–12 building projects.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Spaces4Learning Launches 2026 Education Design Showcase Awards

    Spaces4Learning has opened submissions for the 2026 Education Design Showcase! The awards program launched in 1999 with the goal of celebrating innovative, practical solutions in the planning, design, and construction of K–12 and higher-education facilities. EDS recognizes new developments that help achieve optimal learning environments, as well as the architecture firms that brought the ideas to life.

  • Massachusetts K–12 District Selects Architect for New Junior High

    Swansea Public Schools in Swansea, Mass., recently announced that it has selected Finegold Alexander Architects to design a new junior high school for the district, according to a news release. The firm will create the Feasibility Study and Schematic Design for Joseph Case Junior High School after a lengthy selection process by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).

  • University of Kentucky Receives $150M Gift Toward New Arts District

    The University of Kentucky’s Board of Trustees recently received a $150-million gift from The Bill Gatton Foundation, according to a university news release, to build a new arts district on the campus in Lexington, Ky. The new district will feature a new College of Fine Arts building and a multi-hundred-seat theater, among other amenities.

  • El Paso District Breaks Ground on New Elementary School

    The Canutillo Independent School District in El Paso, Texas, recently announced that construction has begun on a 119,000-square-foot elementary school, according to a news release. The district partnered with Pfluger Architects, Carl Daniel Architects, and LDCM Solutions on the new Davenport Elementary School, which has an expected completion date of 2027.