Progress starts toward new elementary buildings

CHILLICOTHE - Now that voters have approved the Chillicothe City Schools portion for construction of two new grade-banded elementary buildings, the next steps can be taken toward eventually getting a project agreement for the work.

But don't expect to see any dirt turned in the immediate future for the project.

"We are probably not going to move any earth or tear down any buildings in 2016," said district Superintendent Jon Saxton. "That's something a lot of people wanted to know."

The bond issue, which was approved by voters earlier this month with roughly 56 percent in favor, will go toward funding the 45 percent of the project that must be paid for with taxpayer money. The remaining 55 percent is being picked up by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, formerly known as the Ohio School Facilities Commission. The school district ensured its taxpayers would not pay additional taxes for the construction by rolling back some of the millage from a 2013 operational levy equal to the amount of the millage needed for the new building project.

The ballot box was merely the first step, however. During Monday night's Board of Education meeting, the board approved a resolution for the issuance of notes that eventually will be converted to bonds for the project. Kent Cashell, with RBC Markets, told the board there were a few factors in play that will help the district receive a lower interest rate on its loans and realize what he said would be a seven-figure savings for taxpayers.

Some members of the administration and board had an initial two-hour planning meeting with a project manager Monday morning to review some of the upcoming steps toward the turning of that first shovel of dirt, starting with a kickoff meeting that may be scheduled before Christmas. That will be followed by selection of a construction model the district would like to use. Saxton said there is one favorite in mind, but all options are still being reviewed before a decision will be made.

Once the model is chosen, a request for qualifications for architects can be made. Saxton expects that could take place in January, to be followed by a project agreement. As all those steps are moving forward, work also will be done getting all of the financial arrangements in place because the local funds must be available before the project agreement can be signed.

Saxton also noted that while maintenance work will be done to keep elementary buildings targeted for eventual demolition in good working order until the new buildings are constructed, more aesthetic changes to them are unlikely to take place.

In other activity Monday:

• Saxton said there will be some changes to the district's Community Night this year following last year's event, which saw around 800 people take part with many having to line up outside in the cold to get in. At this year's event Dec. 3, attendees will be allowed to enter through the entrance by the south parking lot at 5:15 p.m. to gather in the gym for an event kickoff. Then, around 6 p.m., they will be ushered into various other areas where they can visit Santa, enjoy entertainment by the Cavalites, participate in crafts, get vision checks, take advantage of clothing giveaways, get a free haircut and have some food. Giveaways and drawings will also take place.
• The board gave its approval to both a continuous growth plan covering the next three years in the district and an updated five-year financial forecast that incorporated the bond issue results and 2013 levy millage rollback into the equation.
• The board honored several individuals, including fall sports athletes who made all-league or all-district teams, members of the committee that helped get the bond issue passed, and those involved with the middle school's leadership initiative.