COLUMBUS – The Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC) has approved over $29.2 million in state funding for school construction work in the Preble Shawnee Local School District.

According to an OSFC press release, the district is one of 15 from across the Buckeye state which received an offer of funding from the Commission, which oversees the state’s school facility renovation and construction program.

The funding, combined with $15.7 million from the district, will allow the district to move forward with the construction of a new elementary school and a new middle/high school that will have the capacity for career-technical education.

“This is a critical step in ensuring that the children in the Preble Shawnee district are in facilities that help support academic achievement,” said OSFC Executive Director David Williamson.

“There is also a significant economic impact attached to today’s Commission action – the construction work generated by this project could translate into both job opportunities for local residents and increased purchases of goods and services from local businesses,” he added.

“The students, parents, staff, and community members of Arrow Nation are extremely excited about the ability to return our hard earned tax dollars home from Columbus to the communities of Camden, Gratis, and West Elkton,” said Preble Shawnee Superintendent Dr. Matt Bishop.

“Our district is in a unique position to build two 21st century schools without adding to the tax rate that residents were paying in 2015. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a bright future for our children.”

According to the program, school districts must raise their local share of the project budget within 13 months before the state funding can be released. Districts which fail to acquire their funding in that period are considered “lapsed,” but can still participate in OSFC programs once they obtain local funding.