43
Columbiana seeks bond issue again
By THOMAS M. LYDEN
COLUMBIANA
The Columbiana School Board once again decided it needs to ask district voters for funds to improve the ailing facilities at South Side Middle School.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the board unanimously voted to declare the necessity of a $4 million school- improvement bond. Once the county auditor calculates the specific millage involved, the board will place the issue on the November ballot.
This marks the board’s third attempt to pass a $4 million bond issue. Last August, the issue failed with only 31 percent support. In May, voters defeated the issue 54 percent to 46 percent.
But circumstances have changed this time around.
For one, the ballot language will be different. The two previous ballot measures contained language about extracurricular facilities that concerned some voters. Recognizing the concern last time, the board passed a resolution telling voters that the first priority would be the middle school and that any extra money would not be spent without public input. That clarification notwithstanding, the ballot language still mentioned extracurricular facilities.
“We think that hurt us a great deal,” Superintendent Donald Mook said.
The proposed ballot language contains no mention of extracurricular facilities this time.
Also different this time is the condition of South Side Middle School.
Increasing problems with the leaky roof have caused the board to close down half of the middle school, moving the fifth grade to Joshua Dixon Elementary School and squeezing the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades into the remainder of the building.
As a result of this partial closure, the administration must convert some computer labs and other special rooms into classrooms. In addition, the cafeteria at the middle school will close next year, meaning that the sixth, seventh and eighth grades will eat lunch at the high school.
Consequently, a number of custodians, cooks, cashiers, aides and others will see their hours reduced next year. However, no one was laid off because of the partial closure.
“We restructured all the jobs,” Mook said, “so that we could keep people working.”
Nevertheless, the partial closure of South Side Middle School may impact voters’ perception of the need to make improvements.
Finally, the outreach by the Columbiana Building Excellence Committee has increased with each bond issue attempt. Chaired by district parents Rich Hura and Dani Clancy, the campaign has gone from a low-budget online operation to one that is actively raising money, putting up yard signs and canvassing neighborhoods in support of the bond issue.