As previously reported, Talawanda School District was considering the sale of “Certificates of Participation” (COPS) to finance the construction of a new Kramer Elementary School. Feb. 18, the Talawanda school board voted to official apply for COPS, according to a letter sent by superintendent Kelly Spivey. Holli Morrish, director of communications and public relations for the Talawanda school district, said COPS is a lease-to-own option and functions like a mortgage. All five members of the Talawanda school board voted in support of applying for COPS, according to Morrish.

“We would pay the monthly rent, kind of like you pay a mortgage, out of what is called our permanent improvement fund that is money that the district sets aside each school year in order to take care of our facilities for maintenance and improvement purposes,” Morrish said.

The school board must now consider further details of the total cost and location of a new Kramer. According to Morrish, the school board is planning for a community engagement meeting March 6 with more details to come on the location and time.