Officials cite safety issues in returning bond to ballot

There wasn't a consistent item voters opposed, a school official said.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Pupil safety is one of the motivators in asking voters to approve a bond issue for building improvements.
"One of the responsibilities of the school board is the safety of the children," said schools Superintendent Frank Lazzeri.
Among the improvements is a security system at the elementary schools that requires visitors to be buzzed into the building by a monitor.
Another safety item that would be addressed with bond issue funds is elimination of portable classrooms at Robinwood Lane and Stadium Drive elementary schools. They would be replaced with additional classrooms within the buildings.
The board of education decided last week to return to the ballot in the Feb. 6 special election. Voters rejected the bond issue Nov. 7 by 1,052 votes, according to unofficial election results.
The bond issue would allow the district to borrow 51.6 million through the sale of bonds to be repaid with interest over 28 years.
Improvements are planned at each of the district's seven school buildings.
Reasons for voting no
Lazzeri said that he heard a variety of reasons from those who voted against the bond issue.
Some opposed creation of an auxiliary, or second, gymnasium in addition to the gymnasium already at the high school. Others didn't like the idea of a new stadium at the high school, and some advocated one central school for elementary pupils rather than repairs to the four elementary buildings.
"There really wasn't one consistent thing," Lazzeri said.
A special election will cost the district about 30,000, according to Joyce Kale Pesta, deputy director of the Mahoning County Board of Elections.
Lazzeri said that it wasn't an option for the school district to lower the millage amount in making another go at the ballot. Under state law, the district would have had to file paperwork before the Nov. 7 election to change the millage for the February special election, the superintendent said.
Biggest costs
The largest dollar amounts would be spent on the oldest and newest buildings in the district.
Improvements at Center Middle School, the oldest school, built in 1911, total about 11.6 million. They include installation of an elevator for disabled pupils to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, upgrades to electrical wiring, locker repairs, installation of air conditioning and other improvements.
For the 37-year-old high school, the newest school, plans involve about 9.9 million to the building and about 3.5 million to the athletic stadium and field.
Building improvements include replacing original windows and creating an auxiliary gym to accommodate sports teams' practice sessions. The gym will include a wrestling room.
The stadium, complete with artificial surface, would be built on the high school grounds to enable football games to be played there rather than at the stadium behind Center Middle.
denise_dick@vindy.com