NEWS

School board clears way for new buildings

Sara Nealeigh
Reporter

CHILLICOTHE – Chillicothe City School Board unanimously passed three resolutions at Monday night’s meeting that will allow the process of building two new grade-banded buildings for the district to move forward.

The first authorized the board to accept funding from the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission to build the new elementary campuses.

The funds, more than $25.6 million, will cover 55 percent of the cost of construction on the new buildings — one for prekindergarten through second-grade students and a second for third- through sixth-grade students.

The second resolution determined that the board would proceed with the issuance of a bond on the November ballot to raise the remaining 45 percent of building costs. Voters will decide on a 2.99-mill levy that would cover the $24 million needed by the district.

The board acted on Monday night to pass another resolution that would keep voters’ taxes from increasing if the levy passes in November.

The third resolution declared the board’s intent to cease collection on the bond passed for an emergency operating levy in May 2013.

Chillicothe City Schools Superintendent Jon Saxton said that, with the the rollback of the 2013 levy, the district will still be receiving enough money to continue operating as well as finance the new buildings. However, that will only occur if the November bond issue is passed.

Tom Spetnagel, Ross County auditor, addressed the board Monday night, saying the resolution is “the best way” to reduce the emergency levy by the same dollar amount that would be generated under the new levy.

“The district made every attempt to make a tax-neutral proposal,” Spetnagel said. “It represents the best dollar-for-dollar deal for taxpayers.”

Board member Joy Shoemaker said that, on that night, the board was making history.

The board also approved a contract with Sport Safe Testing Service Inc. as well as a student-athlete drug testing policy and procedures brochure.

Chillicothe City Schools will pay the testing service $29 per panel, and additional tests can range from $5 to $30. A budget has already been set in place for the tests, which will be privately funded.

The contract states that the agreement will remain in effect until June 30, 2018, but Saxton said services from the company will be on a year-to-year basis.