Participants were asked May 9 about how they would vote and how they thought the community would vote on a bond issue to building new elementary schools and what they and the community thought of two options ranked at the top of choices by participants in the first advisory meeting in March.
One of the two top elementary school options ranked by team members at the first team meeting in March called for two connected prekindergarten through grade 2 and 3 through sixth-grade buildings. The estimated total cost was $63.3 million.
The second option was for four new prekindergarten through sixth-grade elementary schools. The estimated total cost was $72.92 million.
The district is working with the Ohio School Facilities Commission for 33 percent state funding of those costs leaving a $42.4 million local share for the two connected buildings and $48.89 million for the four new elementary buildings.
Consultant Jeff Parker of SHP said the costs given May 9 were higher than previously discussed due to the OSFC update of construction costs in the state in April.
The costs do not include the price of land for a school or schools. Herman said he has been talking with some property owners about possible sites. The board included in this year’s budget a line item of $300,000 for possible land purchase, he said.
If the board decides to go to voters in the fall, a ballot request would have to be filed with the board of elections by early August.
“It is true our facilities are not getting any younger. We need to do something,” Joyce Reives, board of education vice president, said.
More information on the school construction discussion is available on the district website at www.troy.k12.oh.us under the Future of Learning page.
Contact this contributing writer at nancykburr@aol.com.
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