Olentangy Schools ballot issue to build five schools headed for defeat
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A ballot issue to build five schools in the Olentangy district appeared headed toward defeat Tuesday night.
Unofficial elections results show with 100% of precincts reporting, the issue from the Olentangy Local School District has been rejected by a 2-to-1 margin. With 83 precincts reporting, 63% voted against the levy and 36% voted for the levy.
For each $100,000 of market value, the combined 4.25-mill levy would cost property owners $148.75 per year in taxes. The levy would bring in about $28.9 million annually for the district, according to its website.
The levy was put on the ballot to help the district accommodate rapid growth, which has resulted in multiple schools being overcapacity. The district has already set up modular classrooms, or trailers, outside one of its elementary schools. Olentangy School Board President Brandon Lester said in an earlier interview if the levy didn’t pass, the district would have to look into getting more trailers.
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The district seeks a 3-mill operating levy, a 1.25-mill permanent improvement levy and a “no additional millage” bond package that would authorize the district to build five schools.
The money from the 3-mill operating levy would be used to fund the day-to-day operations of the district, including salaries, benefits and other material costs to operate the schools. It would also be used to address staffing needs and to expand security personnel to its elementary schools, a spokesperson with the district said.
Funds from the 1.25-mill continuing levy would go towards the maintenance, repairs and upkeep of buildings and equipment.
The “no additional millage” bond package would authorize the district to seek up to $350,000,000 in bond proceeds to construct new facilities. This would not increase millage for the community, but will allow the district to build five new schools, specifically three elementary schools (numbers 18, 19 and 20), a seventh middle school and a fifth high school.
For a breakdown of how the Olentangy Schools levy money would be spent and a list of planned locations for the new schools, click follow this link.
School ballot issues in Teays Valley, Madison-Plains
Madison-Plains Schools asked voters to approve a 5.40-mill levy, which would cost taxpayers $189 annually for each $100,000 of market value. Unofficial election results show with 100% of precincts reporting, 66% voted against the levy and 33% voted for the levy. The issue was put on the ballot to fund the construction of a new Pre-K through grade 12 facility.
Teays Valley Schools placed a 5.33-mill levy on the ballot, which would cost taxpayers $186.55 annually for each $100,000 of market value. Unofficial election results show with 100% of precincts reporting, 74% voted against the levy and 25% voted for the levy. The bond issue would fund a plan to construct two new school buildings that would accommodate a projected increase in student enrollment, according to the district’s website.
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