Passage of tax issues can help school districts turn the corner

Xenia, Cedar Cliff joining state program to build facilities

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By Christopher Magan, Staff Writer 11:44 AM Thursday, November 12, 2009

Xenia Community and Cedar Cliff Local schools are the first two Greene County districts to pass a local tax issue to participate in the Ohio School Facilities Commission program to construct new buildings.

It’s a big deal for both communities that will see construction dollars and new state-of-the-art educational facilities.

Jeffrey Lewis, Xenia superintendent, said after two failed attempts to raise the local money the passage of the 3.2 mill bond request Nov. 3 will help the community, hard hit by the down economy, turn a corner.

“This is a catalyst for a spiritual renewal in Xenia,” Lewis said. “It’s without limits. It was really a great day.”

David Baits, Cedar Cliff superintendent, echoed Lewis’ sentiments. On the district’s first try, voters in his district OK’d a local tax issue that will replace much of the district’s only school building, parts of which are nearly a century old.

“When I think about the number of kids whose parents are not even born yet that will benefit from this,” Baits said, “it’s pretty exciting times.”

Campaigning is over and the planning will begin, Lewis and Baits said. Both district will work closely with architects, planners and bankers to move the massive building projects, a total of more than $75 million for both districts, forward.

The next year will be spent designing and working out construction logistics with construction beginning in 2011. The new schools could start opening in 2013, Lewis and Baits said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2342 or cmagan@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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