The superintendent of the Loudonville-Perrysville Exempted Local Schools said she heard and heeded the community’s response when the district asked for funding for a new school building in the November election.
The 9.73-mill levy request failed 1,952 votes against (56%) to 1,510 votes for (43%) the issue.
Afterward, Superintendent Jennifer Allerding and a Facilities Task Force went back to the drawing board to see what they could do to reduce the financial need, while still addressing the district’s need for a new building, bringing all grade levels to the high school campus.
On Thursday, Allerding hosted a community meeting of about 50 people in the auditorium at Budd Elementary School. she explained the changes made to the previous building plan and the rationale behind the adjustments, along with details of the updated plan.
Loudonville-Perrysville Exempted Schools District Superintendent Jennifer Allerding speaks with community members and answers questions about plans for a new K-12 building. Changes from the plan voters rejected in November include reducing the local share of the project by $12.5 million.
Allerding said the levy the district is now seeking is for 6.62 mills, which is 3 mills less than the one sought in November, and a 0.25% income tax.
The updated plan reduces the local share of the project by $12.5 million by adjusting the plan to not include a metal roof, a savings of more than $2.3 million, as well as eliminating administrative building renovations and a rubberized playground.
The superintendent said she could work in a classroom or a closet if need be.
District seeks 6.62 mill levy and 0.25% income tax
The total cost of the proposed building project is $69,204,575. The state will contribute 29% of that cost (about $15.5 million). The LPESD will contribute $12.5 million. The remaining $41 million would be funded through a 6.62 mill property tax and a 0.25% income tax levy.
If the 6.62-mill proposed property tax levy passes, the annual cost on property valued at $100,000 would be $232.
“We are incredibly grateful for the valuable community input that helped shape this revised Master Facility Plan,” Allerding said. “The collaboration and thoughtful feedback from residents were instrumental in creating a plan that reflects our community’s needs while reducing costs. It’s important for our community to be informed and engaged as we work together to shape the future of our schools.”
K-12 vs K-8 facility: Cost difference is $4M
The superintendent fielded a number of questions from the audience, such as what are some of the staffing positions that will be reduced, what is the average size of the classes in the district, why not ask for less money and build a K-8 building.
Allerding said some of the positions would be eliminated because instead of having three buildings, there would only be one.
She said class sizes vary, but range from 17 to 22 students.
Allerding said the difference in costs for a K-8 facility and a K-12 is $4 million.
“When you’re talking about such a large project, $4 million for an entire high school to be added on, that’s why we didn’t recommend the K-8 option to the communiry,” she said. “We thought, for $4 million, we could have a high school too. That made the K-8 option less feasible.”
Visitors also were taken on a tour of the Budd building, where Building and Grounds Director Shayne McCaskey shared many of the reasons behind the need for new facility.
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Loudonville-Perrysville returns to voters with revised funding plan
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