Weathersfield school board plans levies

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR

MINERAL RIDGE — The Weathersfield Board of Education has taken the first steps for going back to voters with a bond levy and a continuous levy to pay the district’s share of an Ohio School Facilities Commission building project.

The board also approved a resolution determining the district to be a “Special Needs District” and related applications that must go to the state tax commissioner and the state superintendent of schools.

Treasurer Laurena Rouan said the special-needs resolution is necessary to prepare to go back on the Nov. 3 ballot with an 8.4-mill bond levy over 28 years to raise $8.4 million, and a 1.6 mill continuous levy to raise $131,739. The issues would pay the district’s 40 percent share of the $19 million-plus project.

The added 1.6 mill levy is to pay for maintenance of the facility and to purchase new computers and technology hardware.

The measures went to voters on the May ballot but were defeated.

The Ohio School Facilities Commission has approved paying 60 percent, or $10.6 million of a construction project to add on to the Seaborn Elementary School to turn the building into a K-8 building. The Middle School is to be razed in the plan, except for the gymnasium, auditorium and bus garages.

The board also approved a resolution to apply under the American Recovery and Reimbursement Act of 2009, under the federal stimulus program, for interest-free or low-interest bonds for the project up to $5 million if the bond issue passes.