Thursday, July 15th, 2010
Fort Recovery school levy to go on ballot
By Janie Southard
FORT RECOVERY - School district voters will see a new levy on the ballot in November for funding a 47,000-square-foot high school addition to the existing pre-K through 8 building.
Board members passed a resolution of necessity this week for a bond issue/tax levy to fund the district's share of an Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC) project. The exact millage amount is not yet know, as paperwork has just been submitted to the county auditor.
If a levy is approved, OSFC shows the state will cover 79 percent of the cost with local taxpayers picking up 21 percent. The project cost is estimated at $6,769,398, with the state portion $5,347,825.
Current plans also include several Locally Funded Initiatives (LFIs), which are projects that will not be state funded. With the LFIs, which include an additional 10-12 classrooms, media center and computer lab, the total project cost is set at $10,648,263. The taxpayers' portion then increases to $5,300,428.
"We'll now submit the information to the county auditor and he will determine the millage needed," said district treasurer Lori Koch. "We have until Aug. 4 to get this on the November ballot."
District superintendent Pat Niekamp has said the best option for the district, based on community input, was to build on to the PK-8 site.
Board president Jack Staugler said the consolidation will allow the district to "make the best use of personnel from a teaching standpoint, from a cafeteria standpoint and from a clerical standpoint."
Board members also had considered an $11.037 million renovation of the current high school that would have included all but the 1935 building section.
With the final plan, the current high school gym, vo-ag area and commons area will be saved. The rest of the high school would be demolished.
