Xenia Board of Education Hears Voters; Responds to Need for New Grade Schools

In direct response to Xenia school district voters, the Xenia Board of Education (XBOE) passed a resolution Monday to place a reduced 3.2 mill levy on the November ballot to participate in an Ohio School Facility Commission (OSFC) school building project that only rebuilds grade schools rather than all district school facilities.

“Our neighbors in the community have told us at the polls, in our telephone surveys and in our focus groups that the Xenia school district does not need to rebuild all of its school facilities at this time,” says Xenia Community Schools Supt. Jeffrey K. Lewis, Ed.D., “but does need to replace its crumbling grade schools.”

The Ohio Legislature and Gov. Ted Strickland signed a budget bill this past summer that allows school districts to ‘segment’ their school building plan rather than rebuild all facilities that qualify for replacement.  In addition, the bill allows districts such as Xenia to extend their one year limit in the OSFC program to participate in an extra chance at the polls.

The OSFC plan would pay for 46 percent of the total cost for rebuilding grade schools.

“This decision by the legislature and Gov. Strickland allows Xenia to address its most vital need when evaluating our school buildings,” says XBOE President Rick McClelland, Ph.D.  “Voters have told us loud and clear that our grade schools should be our first priority and we have heard them.”

The 3.2 mill issue on the November ballot will include .5 mill required by the State for permanent improvement. The cost to the owner of an $100,000 home would be approximately $98; owners qualifying for the Homestead Exemption would only pay $73.50 annually.

“In addition,” says Supt. Lewis, “the district can pass the issue this year but will be able to defer collection until 2013 when the economy has had time to rebound.”

The OSFC plan for new grade schools would include rebuilding Cox Elementary School, Tecumseh Elementary School, Shawnee Elementary School, McKinley Elementary School with a fifth site to be determined in the next ten days. A remaining school building is tentatively planned to be used as the Xenia Board of Education/Central Office site.

“It’s a plan that just makes sense,” Supt. Lewis says.  “Our community has told us what our students and schools need at this time.  Fortunately, Gov. Strickland and our legislators have allowed us to adapt our school building project to meet that need with a segmented school building plan that will rebuild Xenia grade schools.”

To see a video of a news story by news reporter Chelby Kosto of WDTN Channel 2 click here.