Bond Issue Supports Modern School Improvements without Raising Taxes

Olmsted Falls City Schools Board of Education has officially placed a school improvement bond issue on the November 8, 2016 ballot that will not increase taxes to residents.  The issue will pay for upgrades to mechanical systems and school renovations so that money will not have to be diverted from the classroom teaching and instruction budget to make vital repairs.
 
“We have listened to our community and brought an issue before voters that addresses our critical school facility needs without raising taxes to residents,” said Board President Joseph Bertrand.  “By law, the money from this issue can only be spent on facilities and building repairs, and none of it can be used for school salaries or administration.  This issue is different and will allow us to maintain our schools without putting additional tax burden on our residents.”
 
Previously the district had placed two bond related issues before voters.  However both were narrowly defeated.  The district did not seek a ballot request in March 2016 and instead looked at various financing options that would not increase taxes to residents.  Instead the district is spreading the facility repair and improvement costs out over more time, so the amount of taxes homeowners have to pay each year will not increase.  In addition, the bonds will be paid off over 35 years so that as new families move into the community, over time, they will contribute to paying them off.  This issue also eliminates the need to hold classes in trailers any longer.  This is important from a financial standpoint, as most of them have been in use so long that they will need to be replaced very soon with new ones that are now more expensive to purchase.
 
“This issue is a win for our schools and our community,” noted Superintendent James Lloyd, Ed.D.  “This issue will ensure a suitable environment for learning.  It also helps to keep our schools strong without increasing taxes to residents.”
 
Specifically, the school improvement bond levy is needed to:

• Upgrade mechanical systems and make vital repairs without diverting money from the teaching and instructional budget;
• Provide infrastructure and computer systems in order to offer classes in the science, technology, engineering and math programs, which are vital to helping students get accepted to top colleges;
• Enhance school security by eliminating the need to hold classes in trailers as they require doors to remain unlocked so students can go back and forth to the main building, which makes both susceptible to unauthorized entry and security problems;
• Have advanced science and technology labs, like the ones used by most of the other top-rated nearby school districts; and,
• Upgrade electrical systems and wiring to better support classroom learning systems and technology that is essential to a modern education.

The district has posted a frequently asked questions section to the home page of their website so that residents who have questions can get answers.  Residents are also encouraged to contact the district’s administrative offices at 440-427-6000. 

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