NEW LEXINGTON — The New Lexington School Diatrict has been awarded several high dollar grants in the last year, but none compares to the $16,404,114 grant awarded this month. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) have announced that $88 million will be awarded several Ohio school districts as part of the Appalachian Community Innovation Centers Program.
Of the 11 school districts receiving a share of the grant money, the closest one to the amount awarded to New Lexington Schools was the $13,834,879 grant received by the Bridgeport Exempted Village School District. The total grant money awarded to the 11 Ohio school districts came to $88,949,069. Those interested in obtaining information about this grant program should contact Anne Yeager, Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, at 614-809-4813 or anne.yeager@ofcc.ohio.gov.
In a press release from Governor DeWine’s office, the stated goal of this funding is to “create full-service centers for public education, community health services, and career development in Appalachia Ohio.” The following quote from Governor DeWine was taken from the press release dated June 12, 2024:
“This is part of our continued commitment to Ohio’s traditionally underserved Appalachian communities,” said Governor DeWine. “ No matter where you live in Ohio, everyone deserves access to high-quality education and healthcare resources, and these news centers will play an important role in the transformational change we’re beginning to see in this region.”
The press release also stated that each center will be providing programming and services that could include in-demand job training; Ohio Means Jobs support; classrooms and computer labs; walk-in health and mental health clinics; on-site dental services; and wellness, physical health, and training space.
The centers will be open to all Ohioans in need of assistance, not just those living within the school district. Lt. Governor Husted also reflected on the expected impact these grants will have on Southeast Ohio.
“This is another way we are investing in innovation, education, workforce, and communities in Appalachia, boosting economic growth for the region so that people living there can have a better quality of life and brighter future,” said Lt. Governor Jon Husted.
At the New Lexington Schools campus, school has been dismissed for the summer, but most of the administrative staff is still on the job, including district treasurer Dave Rupe who took time to weigh-in on the tremendous grant.
“We are so blessed right now in New Lexington,” Rupe said, in a voice that could not disguise his excitement. “This is the place to be! We are so excited and motivated to provide the best opportunities for our kids and families. I just want to thank the Lord for providing us with these blessings.”
Morgan Holman is the district’s workforce development director, and this grant will have a tremendous impact in creating a state-of-the-art Workforce Center that she will be overseeing. Her initial reaction reflects a vision for the future of the Perry County community.
“This opportunity heralds not just growth, but a transformative generational shift, fostering a workforce development that promises a brighter future for the region,” stated Holman. “It’s a catalyst for progress, shaping tomorrow’s leaders and innovators in New Lexington, Perry County, and well beyond our county line.”
New Lexington Supt. Casey Coffey is quick to describe the process that has resulted in acquiring a $16.4 million grant. He recalled the day years ago when the circular graph on the whiteboard in his office was created, which outlined the process that had to take place to create the school system he envisioned for the New Lexington community. Through carefully following this plan, the district has made improvements to school facilities while acquiring multiple grants along the way.
“We have received five grants that are bringing seven million dollars into the district before we received the $16.4 million dollar grant,” stated Coffey. He refers to the financial plan to make sure these new programs and facilities continue to have operating support as “weaving the funds” to sustain the new programs set to emerge in the New Lexington school district. Coffey also identified the member of his administrative team who has devoted her career to acquiring the string of impressive grants including this latest windfall.
“You need to talk to Erin,” he said, and with that comment, the superintendent steered the interview to Federal Grants and Programs Administrator Erin Schumaker. “She chases grants every day and creates the opportunities for us to receive them,” added Coffey.
Regarding the time and effort she has devoted to being on the cutting edge of acquiring this latest grant, Schumaker quickly dispelled the idea that it was a “three-week” project.
“New Lexington Schools and the Village of New Lexington have been collaborating for almost two years to create accessible spaces for our students, families, and the greater community,” she explained. “This funding will allow for greater accessibility in healthcare, workforce development, and recreation.” .
Casey Coffey has a crystal-clear vision for the role the New Lexington Schools will play in the future of the community. His vision for the future is matched only by his ability to spot the most qualified individuals for the positions they fill in the school district. One of those individuals, Dave Rupe, summed up the prevailing atmospheric conditions within the walls of New Lexington School in six words.
“This is the place to be!” and he has 16,400,000+ reasons to back it up.
According to Anne Yeager, chief of communications for the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, the grant awards in the program were competitive. She said accessibility of the projects to the public was an integral part of those chose for grant awards. “New Lexington’s project will be available to students, families, and adult residents of New Lexington and the wider Perry County, according to its application,” she added.
Submitted by New Lexington Schools
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