Why is the school district spending $5 million for a community arts center?
The schools need a performance auditorium. There are very few districts statewide without a performance auditorium space. And while New Albany School District had always planned to build an auditorium dating back to decades ago, the facility never was built. A lengthy, public process involving residents and the schools determined this as a priority back in 2001 and it was subsequently approved by the community in a voted ballot issue. Through a unique collaboration, the district will get a much higher quality, $ 17 million facility for the students that includes additional teaching spaces because of the collaboration and private donations. Moreover, the district, through an agreement with the other partners, is assured at least 60% usage of the facility. From a school perspective, the district receives 60% usage but paid less than 30% of the cost of the facility.
How much more will it cost the district to operate this proposed facility?
The district is contributing nothing toward the community programming. Those costs are being funded from a newly formed not-for-profit arts organization and with support from the New Albany Community Foundation endowments and small contributions from the Village of New Albany and Plain Township The school district is only funding school related programming. The district had already budgeted to operate a 750-seat auditorium, so the school’s support remains essentially the same. The current design remains at 750 seats. From a capacity standpoint, the facility did not get bigger. It got better in terms of acoustics, quality and additional teaching/rehearsal spaces. In essence, the district will spend the same to operate the facility. In terms of utility costs, there will be a small increase in cost because the volume of the concert hall increased. This results in greater volume required for enhanced acoustics. The difference is very small. Any community groups using the facility will pay a “user fee” to the ownership group. The fees will offset any school costs and are anticipated to be consistent with how the district presently rents its facilities. Basically, the owners just want to cover their expenses related to utilities, custodial services and related operating costs. It is anticipated that there will be two fee schedules. One for “not-for-profit” groups and a second for “for profit” entities.
According to numbers provided by the School Treasurer, the district originally budgeted just over $236,000 annually to operate the facility. This number represents less than ½ of 1% of the district’s annual operating budget.
What about the visiting lecturers and artists I’ve been hearing about? How will that be funded?
The New Albany Community Foundation is building endowment funds designed to support bringing guest lecturers and artists to the schools and the community. The endowments, made possibly through private donations, will make this programming accessible to students . Further, the Foundation will work with the newly formed 501c3 arts board to seek sponsors to underwrite programming. And finally, ticket sales may help fund additional guest lecturers and artists.
There has been mention of a community survey in which the arts center was not identified as a priority. Why are we building an arts center then?
The survey is now several years old and a t the time the survey was conducted, no explanation accompanied the survey with respect to an arts center. There was no mention that it would serve the school district and community needs or that it would make available highly regarded visiting lecturers and artists. Nor was the idea of privately funded endowments supporting programming for the community conveyed. And no funding model was shared or collaboration mentioned. The survey was vague and provided participants with little context or frame of reference. Given these circumstances and the age of the survey, it is questionable how much insight, credibility or value it carries today.
We do know today that enrollment at the Broadway Bound Dance Centre and New Albany Ballet School exceed 1000 students and are growing. The New Albany Arts Council’s Jr. Broadway Series each year has drawn hundreds of children, as does its Arts Camp. Further reflecting the need is burgeoning orchestra, ensemble, band, chorus, drama and other arts at the schools, at the elementary, middle and high schools.
In addition, consider that hundreds and hundreds of private donors have spoken with their pocketbooks through donations and pledges. Residents, families and companies in the community have pledged over $8 million for this project. This clearly reflects strong support in the community for the arts center.
In addition, the facility can serve a myriad of community needs beyond the arts and performance. The facility can accommodate meetings for community groups and organizations, host receptions, town meetings, lectures, seminars and symposiums and etc. It is a “community center” as well as a performance venue.
Does the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) being used by the village and township to fund their portions of the arts center cost New Albany taxpayers?
No. This in a non-school, non-fire department TIF, meaning that the tax revenues that would have normally flowed to the schools and fire department will continue to flow to those entities. The revenue supporting the bonds comes from incremental or new tax revenues created from new developments. The tax revenue that would have gone to various Franklin County coffers is being invested in community projects such as the proposed Metro Park and the Arts Center.
TIF’s are allowed under laws by the State of Ohio. Scores of TIF’s have been enacted across Franklin County in communities such as Columbus and Dublin. In this one case, New Albany Council members elected to keep some of those tax dollars in the community to support projects that will support economic development or result in a positive impact on the region – a new metro park and the arts center.
Is the development in the TIF neighborhoods occurring at a level and pace to support the bond payments?
At the time of this update, the revenues are sufficient to meet the debt obligations. The Village approved a second TIF that can be used to meet the debt payments as well. You are invited to contact the Village of New Albany at 855-3913 to access numbers or to access further information.
Is the arts center being designed to support a “conversion” or “charter” school for performing arts?
No. At the time the arts center was being planned and designed, there was no discussion of a charter school. New Albany School District, after the arts center was planned, received a federal grant for over $300,000 to study the feasibility of establishing a separate school to support arts education. The study is just that – a free look at whether such a school is needed or viable. By accepting the grant and studying models around the country it was anticipated that, at the very least, New Albany would benefit from the information gathered that could enhance the district’s arts education curriculum. The district recently announced plans to establish a new concept arts program in the K-1 building. This too, is not related to the arts center. The new program is being funded through a federal grant and is designed to use the arts as a means to educate the children in core curriculum areas.
The New Albany Community Foundation endowments are for the purpose of enriching the curriculum for all the students of New Albany and the community. The Foundation’s participation in the funding of the arts center (facility) is for the betterment and enrichment of all residents and all students. No Foundation funding has been made toward a charter school.
Is the former school superintendent being considered as director of the arts center or a conversion school?
No. The former superintendent made considerable, significant contributions to the school district and the community that will benefit this and future generations. For that reason, he is held in high regard by a grateful community. However, the former superintendent is already serving post retirement in a paid position and has expressed no interest in a position at New Albany. Nor have there been any discussions among the stakeholder groups in the arts center to even attempt to hire the former superintendent.
A “governing board” comprised of appointments from the original funders of the project has been appointed. This governing board has initiated a search for an executive director for the arts center. The governing board will select and employ the director. Funding for the director position is being contributed by the Foundation, Village and Township.
When will a groundbreaking happen and when will the facility be completed?
The ground was broken on April 28, 2006 at 4:00 p.m. at the site (the northwest corner of Dublin-Granville & Main Streets, across from the Mill). It is anticipated that construction will require 17 months, resulting in a completion date in December 2007. A dedication is being planned and details will be announced later this year.
