MPA Facility Update
April 2016
As we enter into the 3rd
trimester of the school year, we are already so proud of the amazing
achievements and wonderful events that have taken place within our
community. Our students have been
proudly participating and often earning placements in Math Competitions, Chess
Tournaments, Power of the Pen, Destination Imagination, National History Day,
Science Fair, and Invention Convention. We have watched our wonderfully
talented students showcased in the choir and band concerts, 3rd grade play, and
7/8th grade in The Dust Bowl Museum, the culminating activity in reading “The
Grapes of Wrath”. The 5/6th grade social studies classes are enthusiastically
receiving responses to their letters written to local government officials, as
well as the President of the United States. (Look for the framed letter and
pictures, outside of Mrs Veccia’s office.) We look forward to what amazing
activities the 3rd trimester holds for us!
While the temperature has been
fluctuating and the flowers don’t know if they should bloom now or wait, your
Board of Directors is continuing to move forward with our plans for MPA’s new
campus site.
Next
School Year
Let’s get the answer to the question we know is
on everybody’s mind – have we finalized the sublease agreement to remain in our
current building next year? We are glad to be able to share that the Board
approved executing the sublease agreement at its last regular meeting. This is
a one-year agreement that will allow us to remain at our current location next
school year. Both the St. Mel Parish and Cleveland Catholic diocese made this
exception (they are not typically supportive of sublease arrangements) based on
MPA’s strong positive relationship with the parish. While there are additional
final signatures and processes that will need to take place, we are confident
with the intentions of all parties and are making plans accordingly for the
summer and next school year.
Financing
We continue to work with our financial
consultant and a team of lenders who are all working diligently to get this
project closed. There are now 6 different lenders involved – 2 mission-focused
lenders, 2 traditional banks (tax credit investor and county loan investor),
Cuyahoga County, and the Community Development
Entity (CDE) who chose our project for a New Market Tax Credit
allocation. We recently attended a board meeting where the county loan was
approved and received a term sheet from one of the traditional banks. Our
project is on the agenda for upcoming credit committee meetings for the other
lenders.
Builders/Construction
Since the last update we received bid proposals
from several builders. Our Board selected Geis Construction, and they have been
engaged in a value engineering process for several weeks now. The goal is to
get the project costs aligned with the budget. This process is estimated to be
complete in the next week or two and will enable the lenders to include that
information in their proposals to their respective credit committees.
Funding
Opportunities
Progress
has been made in several areas for additional funding opportunities.
1.
Charter School Facilities Grant (CSFG). The 2014-15 report cards
are available and we are happy to say that our scores demonstrate that we
qualify for this opportunity. This is a matching grant, so we will need to show
our part if we are awarded. We will keep you apprised on the progress towards
our application.
2.
State
Historic Tax Credits (SHTC). We have resubmitted the application for the SHTC.
We are hopeful that the third time's a charm! The announcement of the approved
projects are anticipated by the end of June.
3.
Ohio
Capital Bill/Partnership with CSU. This
is moving forward but the timing is further off.
Remember,
while all of these possibilities are exciting, none of them are included in the
current funding model. Success on any of
them will be a bonus and allow us to further outfit the building and complete
more spaces.
Upcoming
Community Forum
The next Community Meeting will be
Monday, April 25th, 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Cafetorium. Updates on the new
facility, summer activities and the upcoming school year will be provided.
Engage
in THIS MOMENT– Build It, Fill It, and Pay For It
Our volunteer committee members
and staff have made amazing progress on all fronts. If you have not yet found a
way to engage, please reach out to our volunteer Project Manager, Melissa
Vlasak, who can connect you.
The three main areas are:
●
Our next FEC meeting is
Thursday, April 7th, from 6:30 - 8:00pm at the school.
●
We are looking to expand
our Volunteer Marketing Committee with anyone that has a marketing background.
We need the Creative, Planning, and Executing type of people involved with
branding, marketing, social media, and the website.
3)
Pay for it - Development
& Community Relations Committee, Amanda Ross, Chair & Kelly Nelson,
Capital Campaign Chair
●
The Capital Campaign has
been kicked off to the Board of Directors. Keep an eye out for details on how
you can participate at the ground floor of this critical effort. More
information to come soon!
Thank you for
your ongoing commitment to MPA. Our community is the driving force behind all
of our efforts. We simply cannot do it without you.
