Wayne County Public Schools is trying out figure out what local funds will be needed to construct the new Fremont Elementary School.

During this week’s special meeting, Interim Superintendent Dr. David Lewis gave the Wayne County Board of Education an update on the Fremont Elementary planning.

Dr. Lewis says the district is continuing to move forward with the selection of the construction manager at-risk for the Fremont Elementary project.

However, WCPS will delay any work where a cost will be incurred until both the school board and county board can come to an agreement on how the local required match will be funded.

Wayne County was awarded a $15 million grant through the State’s Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund grant program for Fremont Elementary.

As a requirement of the grant, the County must match at least $5 million out of its local budget.

Additionally, the County will forfeit lottery funds of $1.2 million annually for five years.

This loss of revenue must be recovered in the County’s local budget to continue debt service on prior school construction.

The school district’s Finance and Facilities Committees are meeting today (Thursday, April 1) to discuss the proposal along with other information related to school capital funds.