Friday, August 25, 2006
'Let's Finish What We Started,' is the campaign slogan.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- The campaign is under way to get voters to approve a 6.7-mill bond issue to build three schools.
Richard Limongi, campaign committee chairman, told the board of education Thursday that the bond issue was discussed earlier in the day with district teachers.
"Let's Finish What We Started," is the campaign theme, a reference to the building of a new middle school four years ago.
The project calls for razing the district's four elementary schools and the high school and replacing them with two new elementary buildings and a high school. Voters will decide the bond issue's fate Nov. 7.
The Ohio School Facilities Commission is providing nearly $38 million, or 68 percent, of the cost of the school construction project, while the district's share is $17.9 million.
The district is seeking an additional 8.1 mills to renovate the football stadium, build a new track at the high school, rent temporary classrooms while construction is going on, and buy property around the high school for parking because of the room being taken up by the track.
The state is not sharing in the cost of those planned improvements.
Tax increases
Literature being distributed by the committee places the cost to property owners if the issue passed at $164 per year for property valued at $80,000; $204 for an appraised value of $100,000, and $306 annually for property valued at $150,000.
Limongi said the current buildings are 50 to 80 years old, and they lack the technology for teachers to instruct.
He explained that the campaign expenses will be paid totally through fund-raising events. It is against state law to use school funds for such campaigns.
A tent will be set up beginning at the second home football game to pass out literature and answer questions.
The campaign also will consist of the committee meeting with parents at school, putting up yard signs and sending off friend-to-friend post cards promoting passage, Limongi added.
yovich@vindy.com