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Poland school officials seek community input on district's future
POLAND
Now that the school board has committed to a reorganization plan, the next step is to get community input on the district’s future, school district officials said at a town-hall meeting Monday night.
“We are trying very hard to receive your messages, so keep them coming,” board President Elinor Zedaker said.
The board’s plan includes elimination of one elementary school and reorganization at the other buildings.
The plan, which is projected to save the district between $2 million and $2.5 million over the next five years, is a response to a sharp enrollment decline.
The issue, however, is the school buildings have a number of problems, including leaking roofs, crumbling foundations and sewage and plumbing problems.
The district must decide soon whether to accept the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission’s offer to build and renovate facilities. The state would cover 19 percent of the cost, leaving the district to raise about $46 million. The plan would be to build a K-5th-grade building and a new building for sixth- through eighth-graders, and to renovate the high school.
The earliest students could move into new facilities would be January 2019.
Superintendent David Janofa outlined options for the community to consider to address the combined issue of enrollment and ailing facilities.
They are: accept the OFFC’s offer, which would require 6.89 mills to raise the local share and would result in two new buildings and a renovated high school; decline the state offer and raise 5.5 mills to build two new buildings but not renovate the high school; pass 3 mills for repairs, but not for construction or renovation; or, do nothing, and use the money saved from the realignment plan to fix problems with the buildings.
Some attendees expressed support for the first option.
“I don’t think people realize the conditions our buildings are in,” said Bill Hegarty, a parent and teacher.
Tom Reeveley, a parent, said he would support a bond issue. “I think we have to keep the schools strong,” he said.
The first chance to pass a bond issue, which likely will be for a 34-year bond, will be in November. The board has yet to decide if it will put one on the ballot then.
Questions and answers from meeting will be posted on www.polandbulldogs.com.