ACS Bond Issue 2011

Ashland City Schools Bond IssueThe Vision:

Address the facility needs of the Ashland City Schools for the next fifty years at a minimal cost.

April 2009

The Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC) presented the district with initial Master Plan options. Five plans were presented with a variety of school configuration, building and renovation options. Plans ranged in cost from as high as $108 million to as low as $87 million.

After a series of architect-led community engagement interviews and open meetings, a Revised Master Plan option was locally developed.

Ashland City Schools Bond Issue

Ashland City Schools Bond IssueThe Ashland City Schools Board of Education (BOE) adopted a Revised Master Plan in May 2010:

Replace the Middle School (Grades 5-8)by renovating the existing High School – grades 5/6 and 7/8 will be in separate academic wings.

Build a New High School (Grades 9-12).

Address Elementary School Needs (Grades K-4).

When State Money is Received, Build a New Elementary School and a New Auditorium.

Cost – $60 million ($40 million local share)

Ashland City Schools Bond IssueThe BOE voted in December 2010 to place a Bond Issue on the May 3, 2011 ballot. The Bond Issue will be for 4.8 mills (includes .5 mill building maintenance fund as required by the state).

The Bond Issue is a property tax increase:

Market Value of Home $75,000 $100,000

Annual Cost to Owner $110 $150

Ashland City Schools Bond IssuePHASE 1: Paid for entirely by local funds raised by the Bond Issue. Work would begin with the passage of the Bond Issue.

SCOPE COST

Renovate Existing High School for Grades 5-8 Middle School with Grades 5/6 and 7/8 in Separate Academic Wings $ 900,000

New High School Site Costs $ 1,200,000

Build New High School for Grades 9-12with Practice Fields $ 37,899,880

Reconfigure Taft, Edison, Osborn, andMontgomery for Grades K-4 –

TOTAL PHASE 1 SHARE $ 39,999,880

Ashland City Schools Bond IssuePHASE 2: When state funds are received Phase 2 of the plan will be implemented without any additional taxpayer dollars.

SCOPE COST

Build New Elementary School for Grades K-4(Duff Field) $ 10,388,580

New Auditorium $ 3,000,000

Additional Renovations to Current High School $ 1,200,000

Additional Elementary School Renovations, Bus Facility, Cost Inflation, Contingencies $ 2,051,420

Abate/Demolition of Ashland Middle School, Lincoln, Montgomery and Osborn $ 3,593,000

TOTAL PHASE 2 SHARE $ 20,233,000

Ashland City Schools Bond IssueABOUT STATE FUNDS

The Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC) has been operating the Classroom Facilities Assistance Program since 1997 putting over $5.4 billion into 154 districts across Ohio. Ashland is slated to receive state funds equal to 39% of the OSFC qualified project costs. While certain project costs (purchasing land, building a new auditorium, and some of the renovations) are not co-funded by the state, the district stands to receive roughly $20 million from the state to apply to the overall project cost.

Ashland City Schools Bond IssueABOUT STATE FUNDS

State funds are expected to arrive in 2012 or 2013. At that time funds will be needed to build the new auditorium, the new elementary school, and to demolish the Middle School, Montgomery, Lincoln, and Osborn.

If for some reason the state offer does not come until after 2013, the project elements dependent on that funding would simply be delayed until the funds are received.

Ashland City Schools Bond IssueCONSTRUCTION TIMELINE

With the passage of the levy in May 2011, construction would begin during the 2012-2013 school year with a possible completion date of the new High School by December 2014.

The Class of 2015 will be the first graduating class.

Great way to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the City of Ashland.

Ashland City Schools Bond IssueWhy are we building a new High School when we need a new Middle School?

The goal is to create an affordable facilities plan that will meet our needs for the next fifty years.

Only costs $7 million more to get a new high school and a renovated middle school:

Facility Plan

Board Adopted Facility Plan

with New High School

New Middle School Plan

Annual Cost to Owner of a Home with a $100,000 Market Value

$150 $120

Ashland City Schools Bond IssueWhy are we building a new High School when we need a new Middle School?

A new Middle School would not have many of the accommodations that our renovated High School would (Little Theater, band facilities, larger library, gymnasium, etc.).

Allows for our new High School to have upgraded facilities with up-to-date labs, better technology, and improved instructional space to better prepare young people for life and careers.

Better for all kids!

Ashland City Schools Bond IssueHow was the final site location chosen?

Potential future expansion

Cost-effective site development

Lack of interference in a neighborhood

Controlled traffic corridor under ODOT study for improvement

No perfect location

Ashland City Schools Bond IssueOperating Levy

Regardless of whether or not we build new facilities:

A renewal levy is scheduled to be up for voter approval in 2012 – no new taxes.

Possibility for new operating levy in 2014 or 2015 based on State of Ohio projections.

Ashland City Schools Bond IssueImpact of new facilities on operating costs:

Increased costs Air conditioning Air exchange

Decreased costs Fewer buildings to maintain

More energy efficient buildings (20% savings projected)

Better lighting at lower cost

Logan High School


Mason High School



for us as a community to act on this greatly needed project that will surely improve the future of both Ashland City Schools and our community.

In 2009, 60 individuals came together to discuss the top needs for Ashland County in order for us to continue to move forward. The #1 issue that came from that planning process was the need for updated school facilities.


Why Vote for the Bond Issue?

Our Middle School is in need of replacement – as are some of our elementary schools. All of our schools would be new or renovated!

Recent survey indicated that 94% of people asked felt that the Middle School needs to be replaced.

Ashland City Schools Bond IssueWhy Vote for the Bond Issue?

Our community needs school facilities that reflect the high value we place on education.

To encourage people who work here to live here.

Ashland City Schools Bond IssueCurrent facilities construction dates: LincolnMiddle SchoolOsborn Montgomery

TaftEdisonAHS

1911191419271939

1954*1954*1961

*Renovated in 1998

Buildings to be replaced with the Bond Issue are over 350 years old.

No buildings have been built in the last 50 years.

With the Bond Issue, all buildings will have been built or renovated in the last 13 years.



To stay competitive with the communities around us.

To maintain or improve our property values.

New school building(s) – in design, construction or completed




To improve the educational environment and outcomes for students.

test scores

academic performance

behavior



Let’s not pass up this great opportunity:

39% coming from the State of Ohio.

Current low interest rates and construction costs.

Would bring $20 million back to our community

Ashland City Schools Bond IssueThe Bond Issue will ask voters for the Local Share of the Adopted Plan: $39,999,880 which will completely pay for:

Renovations to existing Ashland High School to accommodate Grades 5-8 – Grades 5/6 and 7/8 will be in separate academic wings.

Building a New High School (Grades 9-12).

DON’T JUST VOTE YES…

BECOME AN ADVOCATE!

Ashland City Schools Bond IssueADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For additional information about the Plan or the Bond Issue, visit: www.itstimeashland.com or contact any BOE member.

http://www.itstimeashland.com/

Paid for by the Citizens for Ashland City Schools, Tim Rowsey, Treasurer. 1020 Cleveland Ave., Ashland, OH 44805