Join the community to celebrate the opening of the West Carrollton Middle/High School on August 10 from 5 to 6 p.m. Following the ceremony, there will be a brief tour of the building.
Passage of the Building Bond Issue in November 2019 locked in the State’s commitment to pay 81% of the co-funded cost of new buildings.
Immediately following the passage of the Building Bond Issue, a two-phase construction plan was developed. Groundbreaking for the Phase I buildings, West Carrollton Early Childhood Center and Intermediate School, was in October, 2020. Both opened for the 2022-23 school year.
Construction for Phase II buildings began in 2023. The Elementary opened in August, 2025, and the Middle/High School is the final building to open in August, 2026.
How New School Construction Costs are Being Co-Funded
School districts across the State of Ohio, including West Carrollton, have been exploring the option of renovating and updating existing schools versus new construction. Comparing the cost for each option, along with any co-funded dollars available from the State of Ohio, is a key factor in the decision-making process. The decision is not the same for every school district.
An independent study by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) of each school in the district (prior to 2019) determined that the cost of renovating and updating buildings would be more than new construction.
Building Assessment
The OFCC sent in teams to inspect and rate all of our schools. Using industry-standard building costs, they developed a plan that listed remodel costs and new construction costs for each building.
67% Rule
• If remodel costs are less than 67% of new construction costs, OFCC will only co-fund a remodel.
• If remodel costs are 67% or greater than new construction costs, OFCC will co-fund new buildings.
All of our buildings far exceeded the 67% rule, and the OFCC agreed to co-fund the construction of new schools.
District officials reviewed the Building Assessment report from the OFCC and compared the co-funded dollars available from the State of Ohio for renovations and updates versus new construction and determined that new construction would be the best option to pursue.
