At the March 13 meeting for the Franklin County Community School Corp. board, it was revealed that 25 students left the school system between last September and now –many transferring to other schools either in Indiana or out of state.

This was more than relevant as to why Bill Schirmer attended the Brookville Redevelopment Commission meeting Monday evening.

“Some of the stuff that’s going on in our schools is amazing and the general public doesn’t have a clue what we actually have,”praised Schirmer, president of FC’s redevelopment group.

Schirmer first raised the idea of “selling”the school system –increasing its profile to prospective residents –a few months back at a school board meeting. The portion of revenues committed from the county’ Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district to the school board amounts to 15%, which came to around $7,500 for the first payment. He proposed the board not earmark the funds right away, rather wait for this analysis of the school system.  
Since then, representatives from local entities have toured the school facilities and gotten on board with the idea. A consultant would be hired to see where the most marketable selling points exist. Since that comes at a fee, Schirmer asked the commission to at least match what the county put in; together with funds from the FC Foundation, this analysis could begin and may last for a period of three years. 

“I think that’s a good start,”he said. “If we find out something’s going to cost us more, we could come back and tell you exactly what that project is.”
His plan is to bank the initial investment, then return to the school board to get its approval to move forward. 

“If at any point in time, we see it’s not going in the right direction, the school system could take those funds and buy microscopes or whatever,”he added. 

Schirmer said regarding a project in Dearborn County, people there consider it the “Taj Mahal.”Student enrollment in the school system there showed healthy increases over five years, often from transfers. Dearborn residents tout a good job within 20 minutes, quality of life with ample open space and a school system that “knocks it out of the park.” Schirmer feels the last item needs some work locally, at least in the eyes of many.

Another point raised was the schools’online reputation, or what people see when they visit websites like Zillow to research the area. A quick look will show six out of 10 stars for the middle school and FCHS while Brookville Elementary carries a 4/10.

Brookville Town Council president Bridget Hayes inquired if town TIF revenue could be used toward schools. BRC president Todd Thackery explained legislation allows for schools to be an exception; “we’re allowed to participate in funding projects for them because we’re taking funds they otherwise get.”

Member John Rudisell moved to grant up to $10,000 for the project as an initial investment, saying it “comes back to community pride and I think we need to develop our schools to get people excited about staying here.” He, along with Thackery and member Victoria Meyer, voted in favor to pass the motion at 3-0 and thanked Schirmer for his legwork.

The property just off Main and Sixth streets was brought up, though the lots behind new owners G2 (Grimmeissens) Apparel are no longer in the town’s hands. Thackery noted there’s been progress in cleaning some debris and grading the site down to Sixth Street. The final intention for the plot is still unknown. 

Hayes, as a nearby resident, voiced her displeasure that the site is “still an eyesore.” She asked if there’d be a retaining wall. Thackery said with the recent grading, walls may not be necessary.

Historic preservation was a topic, with BRC set to commit $50,000 more to the PreservINg Main Street program in June. Meyer noted construction standards connected to the Historic Preservation Commission are “really causing a stir”around town and said more information should be made available.

BRC has a similar façade program whereby applicants must be approved by the 7-person HPC before receiving a grant from redevelopment. Hayes spoke in favor of historic preservation, saying it promotes economic development.

In other news
A motion passed unanimously and proper documents signed to allow clerk-treasurer Gina Gillman to give legal notice to overlapping taxing units of “determination of need to capture tax increments.”This is to be done by June 15 annually (filed by April 15).

As he’s done with the county, Nick Lawrence of The Wheatley Group is proposing an hourly rate for his economic development consulting rather than a fee-based charge/retainer.

The south end storm sewer infrastructure development remains the costliest of possible commitments for the board. Thackery said it would “fully consume”BRC funds if they tried to finance it without outside help. 

Current fund amounts are $355,921.22 for the TIF fund and $76,231.21 for the riverboat fund, a fixed and decreasing fund. 

Hayes added that the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP) is working its way through pathway groups and meetings with university partners. After all that, a prioritized list of projects for the county and town will be looked at.

Indiana House Bill 1085, which carried several restrictions on redevelopment spending, failed to advance further according to Rudisell.