Parma City Schools’ new district master plan calls for Northeast Ohio’s largest high

PARMA, Ohio — The Parma City Schools Board of Education last week approved a new district master plan, which was then submitted to the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC).

The board selected a 4-2-1 model (four elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school) over the 4-2 model (four elementary schools and two secondary campuses).

If the facilities plan comes to fruition, Parma City Schools Superintendent Charles Smialek said the proposed building built on Parma High School land would become the largest high school campus in Northeast Ohio.

“The one high school concept, which I was in favor of, is an attractor and something that can really distinguish our community and our school district,” Smialek said. “The high school would be centrally located right here at Longwood Avenue and W. 54th Street.

“There’s access off of Loya Parkway (near W. 54th Street). We’d also work with the city to see if there’s other access to come in through State Road Park.”

With a cost currently estimated between $423 million and $450 million, Parma City Schools will be returning to the residents seeking the approval of a bond issue in the 7.5 to 8 mill range that would cost a $100,000 homeowner $22 per month.

“Next, the OFCC will take a look at their latest cost updates and give us an actual price,” Smialek said. “From that point, our decision would be what do we think about November? We know the need for new buildings isn’t going away. We know the cost isn’t certainly going to decrease in terms of what new construction costs.

“But at the same time, we know we’ve seen big spikes in gas prices and anytime gas increases, eventually you’re going to see price increases in just about everything. So we have a very difficult decision to make in terms of do we go ahead with a bond issue knowing it’s a tough economy or do we postpone and see if there comes a better time.”

The OFCC will be contributing a matching share amount of 37 percent (roughly $137 million) to the project. The district has an 18-month window to pass the bond issue and begin construction.

While last May residents voted down the second Parma City Schools strategic consolidation new-money levy in a six-month period, Smialek remains hopeful the upcoming tax-increase request will find residents understanding the need.

No matter which date the district decides to go forward, the superintendent is happy it’s not next month considering the protracted redistricting effort out of Columbus that is now in a legal morass.

“The May primary seems to be a mess,” Smialek said. “We knew going in we wouldn’t be getting everything wrapped up for this spring, especially given last May’s result.

“We’re not sure we’ll ever look at a May primary ballot again. Anytime you look at more of a turnout, November tends to be more favorable to school districts. We’ve seen that in our own data since I’ve started in Parma. We’d like to continue to utilize that November election as much as possible.”

Read more news from the Parma Sun Post here.