Build or renovate: What will Troy schools do?

A community advisory team working with Troy schools’ leaders on a review of district facilities identified two options for construction of new elementary schools as the most appropriate for the community.

The advisory team met Monday, March 20, for the first of three planned meetings with district leaders and consultants from SHP as the board of education considers the future of district buildings that range in age from 44 to more than 100 years. The district now has six elementary buildings, a sixth-grade building, a junior high and the high school.

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The advisory team is made up of invited and volunteer community members.

SHP consultants reviewed for the team routes the district could take including maintaining, renovating and replacing buildings.

The estimated cost of a maintenance plan to keep all buildings warm, safe and dry was $12.9 million over five years with another $50.9 million needed if air conditioning were added to those without. The cost to renovate all building was estimated at more than $120 million.

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School leaders said they have worked diligently to keep buildings operating with a 1.1-mill capital improvement levy, but several have issues such as aging original boilers. “At some point we are going to be behind the eight-ball,” district Treasurer Jeff Price said.

“We have some old buildings that if we don’t do something, we are going to have some failures … and it will cost a lot of money. When that money gets more than what we can afford and we have to go to the general fund, that will start affecting programs. It is just math,” Superintendent Eric Herman said.

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The options would be limited by the district debt limit of around $43 million to $48 million along with 33 percent of any approved project costs from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission for a total project of around $70 million, district Treasurer Jeff Price said.

The elementary school option ranked highest by the advisory team was for two connected prekindergarten through grade two and third through sixth grade buildings. In that option, the junior high and high school would be maintained. The estimated total cost was $60.8 million.

The second highest option was for four new prekindergarten through sixth grade elementary schools while maintaining the junior high and high school. The estimated total cost was $70 million.

Locations for any buildings have not been identified, nor have any acquisition costs.

Price said a bond for the amount projected over 30 years at an estimated 5 percent interest would require a bond issue of between 4.5 mills and 5 mills. The cost for the owner of a $100,000 home would be $171 per year.

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Among questions by advisory team members was the impact of having fewer buildings on elementary school staffing. “Teaching wise, we wouldn’t have less kids,” Herman said, noting that depending on an option selected, the number of administrators could be affected.

Consultant Jeff Parker said more in-depth information would be discussed on the two options at the group’s next meeting April 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the Troy High School cafeteria. A third meeting is scheduled May 9 at the same time and location.

Parker said community focus groups and public meetings also may be held between the advisory team meetings.

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