Question asked: As a resident of Bascom I'm emailing you to ask.. do you think we are all made of money? How in the world are we to afford a new school which from what I hear is really not needed and the sewer coming to Bascom? Why do you have to time after time raise our property taxes? When is enough enough? How about maintaining the school you have? I've been overseas where I've seen buildings that are well over 300 years old, looking at them you would never know it as "gasp" they maintain and take pride in the buildings. How about taking a lil pride in what you have in the building that is there now. Building new isn't always be the best and right answer.
Answer: You ask many good questions, most of which would be much easier to provide a good answer to in a one on one conversation. I will attempt to give you a brief summary in this email, but ask that you call the office (419-937-2216.
A "short" answer to your question:
The Board and administration do not take decisions to ask for money lightly. We do everything we can to keep our expenses down, making the best use of taxpayer money. In fact, based on recent data, Hopewell-Loudon School had the 11th lowest expenditures per pupil in the state of Ohio. We try to do everything we can to make sure your money is spent wisely.
In Ohio, school funding is based very heavily on property taxes. Over the past several years, Hopewell-Loudon’s Board of Education has steadfastly refused to pursue “continuing” tax levies for operating money in favor of levies which run for a certain amount of time—like 3 to 5 years. This choice has been made by the Board so that taxpayers like you have a say in what happens. This belief is not held by most school districts around the state and it is commendable of this Board to take that stand.
As for our building, we continue to maintain it every day. Without the high level of pride and ongoing maintenance over the past 70 years, this building would not look as good as it does now. It’s important to know, though, that even with the appearance of the exterior of the building, the “systems” like heating, plumbing, etc. are showing the effects of age. Maintenance is ongoing and is getting more and more expensive.
We are being provided an opportunity to share the costs of building a new school with the Ohio School Facilities Commission. Much of the money the OSFC is using is from the so-called “tobacco settlement” dollars provided to all states. The choice we face is this:
Do we want to use $13.5 Million from the OSFC’s tobacco money to build a school our community can be proud of for generations to come
OR
Would we rather spend more money fixing and repairing our current building for the next several years and then eventually have to build a new one on our own?
In the near future we will be arranging tours of the school facilities. Please consider taking part in one of those so you can get the full picture of the building condition. There is much more to see than what most people are able to on a regular basis. These tours will be advertised in various ways, including the levy website www.hl70more.com
I hope this helps answer some of your questions and I would love the chance to talk with you more, feel free to reply.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Where will a new building be located
Where will a new building be located?
Answer: The building will be located across the street from the current building on property already owned by the District.
Please provide feedback.
Answer: The building will be located across the street from the current building on property already owned by the District.
Please provide feedback.
Why not use the $13.5 million later
Will the state provide $13.5 Million in the future if we want to wait until later?
Answer: This funding is available for one year. If we do not pass within the year, our share will be recalculated from the state, IF we will qualify at all.
Anonymous said, A article in the April 19th Ad-Trib it was stated by a Mr. Michael Daniel that why not use vote on the issue in 3 years. Can we do that? I thought the levy fund was donated money from one of the meetings I atteneded. Mr. Daniel suggests in his article you are using district funds. Is that true?
Dear Anonymous, We are glad you attended the meetings. Mr. Daniels has apparently not been going to meetings, reading the materials or going to the website to make an informed decision. If you remember the tobacco money will not be available forever. We have only ONE year to take advantage of the matched funds from the state. Not trying to get the 49% funding from the state now will result in only a higher local share, if we are even eligible for state money after this. We certainly could wait 3 years, but the chance of us getting any money from the state then would be slim to none. As far as the levy fund, as you well know the money is donated by community members and businesses. There are NO District funds used in this campaign, and I hope Mr. Daniels is not suggesting we are using district funds for the campaign. Those donations are for the levy campaign ONLY and cannot be used on building improvements. The two funds cannot be intermingled, so his letter leaves a lot of gray area to that aspect but you seem to be on the right track – district funds are NOT used to run a levy campaign!
Please provide feedback.
Answer: This funding is available for one year. If we do not pass within the year, our share will be recalculated from the state, IF we will qualify at all.
Anonymous said, A article in the April 19th Ad-Trib it was stated by a Mr. Michael Daniel that why not use vote on the issue in 3 years. Can we do that? I thought the levy fund was donated money from one of the meetings I atteneded. Mr. Daniel suggests in his article you are using district funds. Is that true?
Dear Anonymous, We are glad you attended the meetings. Mr. Daniels has apparently not been going to meetings, reading the materials or going to the website to make an informed decision. If you remember the tobacco money will not be available forever. We have only ONE year to take advantage of the matched funds from the state. Not trying to get the 49% funding from the state now will result in only a higher local share, if we are even eligible for state money after this. We certainly could wait 3 years, but the chance of us getting any money from the state then would be slim to none. As far as the levy fund, as you well know the money is donated by community members and businesses. There are NO District funds used in this campaign, and I hope Mr. Daniels is not suggesting we are using district funds for the campaign. Those donations are for the levy campaign ONLY and cannot be used on building improvements. The two funds cannot be intermingled, so his letter leaves a lot of gray area to that aspect but you seem to be on the right track – district funds are NOT used to run a levy campaign!
Please provide feedback.
Will a new building last
Will the building last as long as a refurbished building?
Answer: The newly constructed buildings will last as long or longer than our current building. They are steel and masonry structures with higher energy efficiency, better air quality, completely handicap accessible, improved security and safety, and better adapted for technology. Additionally, the board has added $2,000,000 to the project to ensure the building exceeds the needs of our district for many generations to come.
Please provide feedback.
Answer: The newly constructed buildings will last as long or longer than our current building. They are steel and masonry structures with higher energy efficiency, better air quality, completely handicap accessible, improved security and safety, and better adapted for technology. Additionally, the board has added $2,000,000 to the project to ensure the building exceeds the needs of our district for many generations to come.
Please provide feedback.
Open enrollment students
Why do we want to build a new school for open enrollment students?
Answer: The building is for Hopewell-Loudon students. By accepting open enrollment students, Hopewell-Loudon receives over $1,500,000 operating money annually. And, finally, it is due to open enrollment students, we were able to move up the list and receive an extra $4,500,000 from the state for this project.
Please provide feedback.
Answer: The building is for Hopewell-Loudon students. By accepting open enrollment students, Hopewell-Loudon receives over $1,500,000 operating money annually. And, finally, it is due to open enrollment students, we were able to move up the list and receive an extra $4,500,000 from the state for this project.
Please provide feedback.
If we can wait can we have a new building later
If we can wait can we have a new building later?
Answer: The $13,435,977 from the state is guarantee for only one year. Due to low construction costs, there is no advantage to waiting.
Please provide feedback.
Answer: The $13,435,977 from the state is guarantee for only one year. Due to low construction costs, there is no advantage to waiting.
Please provide feedback.
Why do we need a new building
Why do we need a new building when the enrollment is so much lower than it used to be 20-30 years ago?
Answer: One of our core beliefs is to focus on students first. In doing so, we have the need for additional space above what we had 30 years ago. These special spaces, ie., broadcasting, technology, TAG, take up more room in our building. As the state continues to mandate additional programs, ie, all day kindergarten, we must find additional spaces. In preparing for these and future needs of our students we need additional spaces.
Please provide feedback.
Answer: One of our core beliefs is to focus on students first. In doing so, we have the need for additional space above what we had 30 years ago. These special spaces, ie., broadcasting, technology, TAG, take up more room in our building. As the state continues to mandate additional programs, ie, all day kindergarten, we must find additional spaces. In preparing for these and future needs of our students we need additional spaces.
Please provide feedback.
What happens if this bond fails
What happens if this bond fails?
Answer: The Board and committee are committed to see this levy pass because it is in best interest of our students and community. If this levy does not pass the Board will have to return to the voters for funds to renovate and upgrade the current building. This upgrade/ renovation may cost the local taxpayers even more since there would be no state money involved.
Please provide feedback.
Answer: The Board and committee are committed to see this levy pass because it is in best interest of our students and community. If this levy does not pass the Board will have to return to the voters for funds to renovate and upgrade the current building. This upgrade/ renovation may cost the local taxpayers even more since there would be no state money involved.
Please provide feedback.
Is the building really in that bad of shape
Is the building really in that bad of shape?
Answer: Yes. The exterior and floors of the building appear to be in acceptable condition. However, the infrastructure, heating and ventilation systems are in very poor condition. Additionally, the building is not easily adaptable to technology. There are pictures of the infrastructure of the building on our website, www.hl70more.com that you are welcome to review.
Please provide feedback.
Answer: Yes. The exterior and floors of the building appear to be in acceptable condition. However, the infrastructure, heating and ventilation systems are in very poor condition. Additionally, the building is not easily adaptable to technology. There are pictures of the infrastructure of the building on our website, www.hl70more.com that you are welcome to review.
Please provide feedback.
Why build a new school now
Why build a new school now – in a recessed economy – and why not just wait?
Answer: 3 BIG REASONS!!! 1) It will create jobs locally, 2) The cost will never be lower, and 3) We are GUARANTEED $13,435,977 from the state.
The $13,435,977 from the state is guaranteed for only one year. If we do not pass within the year, our share will be recalculated from the state, IF we will qualify at all. Due to low construction costs, there is no advantage to waiting.
Please provide feedback.
Answer: 3 BIG REASONS!!! 1) It will create jobs locally, 2) The cost will never be lower, and 3) We are GUARANTEED $13,435,977 from the state.
The $13,435,977 from the state is guaranteed for only one year. If we do not pass within the year, our share will be recalculated from the state, IF we will qualify at all. Due to low construction costs, there is no advantage to waiting.
Please provide feedback.
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