Niles BOE scraps new schools, sports complex

NILES — The board of education has decided to abandon, at least for now, a $55 million construction project.

The board announced its decision tonight in the wake of voters' second rejection earlier this month of a total 6.7-mill levy containing two bond issues to borrow $26 million to replace the high school, build two elementary schools and construct a sports complex.

Although the board has two more chances to pass the levy this year, the board opted not to put it before voters this year.

If voters had approved the levy during last November’s general election or in this month's special election, the Ohio School Facilities Commission would have chipped in 68 percent, or $38 million, of the cost.

In November, the levy was defeated by 536 votes. This month, it went down by about 1,000 votes.