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Rep. Somani Announces Nearly $2.8M for Improvements at the Ohio School for the Deaf and the Ohio School for the Blind

March 18, 2026
Anita Somani News

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COLUMBUS – State Rep. Anita Somani (D-Dublin) Monday announced that the Controlling Board approved $2.69M in funding for the renovation of the former elementary building of the Ohio School for the Deaf and the Ohio School for the Blind. This renovation will create a new administration space for the school and more pre-school classrooms to serve students. The Controlling Board also approved $96K to replace the HVAC system in the Deaf conference center at the school, which serves as a gathering space for the community.  

“These investments will ensure that the Ohio Deaf and Blind Education Services can continue to support students from across Ohio. The Ohio School for the Deaf and the Ohio School for the Blind are two of the oldest public institutions that were founded to explicitly serve Deaf and Blind students, and it is incredibly important to ensure that the state continues to support their efforts,” said Rep. Somani. “Every student, regardless of their gender, race, zip code, or disability status, deserves access to a high-quality, public education.”

Dollars released by the Controlling Board yesterday will support the following projects:

  • $2.69M for the renovation of the former elementary building. This renovation will create administration space and pre-school classrooms to serve students for both the Ohio School for the Deaf and Ohio School for the Blind. This renovation will utilize an existing building with little expected need for structural changes. Ohio Deaf and Blind Education Services (ODBES) serves a diverse population of deaf/hard of hearing students, families and communities through educating students in a language rich environment and empowering each individual to be a contributing member of society.
  • $96K for the replacement of the HVAC unit that heats and cools the Conference Center in the Staff Building. The unit has been deemed irreparable and must be replaced in order to maintain the continuity of the facility. The conference center is used for not only ODBES functions but often lent to other state agency partners for meeting space as well.