South Range to decide in January

NORTH LIMA — South Range Board of Education intends to decide in January which direction to take to upgrade the school district’s facilities.

The board has given Superintendent Dennis Dunham the go-ahead to continue investigating appropriate steps for the school district to pursue.

South Range is looking to work with the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission to renovate its facilities or construct new buildings.

Dunham explained part of the process involves taking steps to ask residents for a new bond issue to help fund the project. He said the bond issue is needed, but he does not know at this point the amount that will be required.

“But we don’t want anyone to panic,” he said. “Our residents will experience a full year with a major tax break. We can’t stress that enough. It’s a good thing. The district is debt-free right now, so there’s no better time than the present to pursue this project.”

The district paid off a 1992 bond issue this year — 12 years earlier than scheduled — saving $1.25 million in interest. That means 4.5 mills will be shaved from district residents’ taxes in 2007. The new bond issue could take effect in 2008.

A special meeting will be scheduled in January for the board to determine the district’s direction. At that time Dunham will present his findings, including the results of a district-wide survey mailed several weeks ago and feedback received during some 20 community informational meetings.

The deadline for the district to make a decision is Jan. 23 so a bond issue can be placed on the May 8 ballot.

According to the survey results recently presented by Dunham, about 75 percent of respondents favored new construction over renovation. That would result in the district constructing a new K-12 building, most likely on the district’s property along state Route 46.

The renovation option would likely mean the current middle school would house K-4 and the high school/elementary facilities would hold grades 5-12.

The district has estimated new construction at about $40.5 million, while a renovation project would be about $31.5 million.

School officials explained that either way, 58 percent of the funding would come from the OSFC and 42 percent from the school district.

The board will have a combined reorganization and monthly business meeting at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 4 in the library at South Range High School in Beaver Township. At that time the board intends to name board officers and set meeting times for 2007.