Frequently Asked Questions

What is meant by the Master Plan?
The Master Plan is the plan developed and approved by the Ohio Schools Facilities, the Buckeye Local Board of Education and the communities.  This Master Plan outlines what is to be built in the district, size of buildings, costs, etc.  This Master Plan may not be changed.

What is the scope of work in the Master Plan?

            1.      One new “centrally located” Early Childhood to 6^th grade elementary building located behind the existing high school.

2.      An addition to the current high school to house the 7^th and 8^th grade students.

3.      Renovate the existing high school.

How do we assure the public that funds from one building will not be applied to another building?
 When the Master Plan was finalized a specific dollar amount was allocated for each building project.  This is all outlined in the Master Plan and has been approved by the Ohio School Facilities Commission and the Buckeye Local Board of Education.  This project will be audited by the state and the Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC) throughout the duration of the project to insure that costs stay within the Master Plan budget.  Also, the construction manager assigned to the project by the OSFC will monitor spending.

Shouldn’t we wait to see if there is a better offer from the State?
Due to the funding formula created by the OSFC via legislation from the Ohio General Assembly, Buckeye Local School District taxpayers will be responsible for 50% of the cost, while the state will cover the other 50%.  If the local funding is not secured by December 15, 2009, the local share will rise to 52% of the total cost.  Therefore, The Time Is Now!

What are Locally Funded Initiatives (LFIs)?
This is any portion of a project that is solely funded by the district as an addition to the Master Plan.  The OSFC will work with the district to integrate LFIs into the overall Master Plan but will not share the cost of the additional items.  Any scope of work that is outside that which is defined in the Ohio School Design Manual (OSDM) such as auditoriums, stadiums, natatoriums, as well as the cost of land for a building site and the cost of bringing utilities or other infrastructure to that site, are considered LFIs.  The Buckeye Local School District wishes to build a middle school gymnasium.  The cost of the gymnasium is $2.1 million

What is the difference between market value and assessed/taxable value?  What will this issue cost me?
Market value is the dollar value that the county has established for your property for tax purposes.  You may be able to sell your property for more on the open market.  The assessed/taxable value of your property is 35% of the established market value.  Your taxes are calculated on the assessed value.   

For example, if the county has established your property market value as $50,000, then your assessed/taxable value is $17,500.  Your tax increase for the new schools would only be $5.36 per month.  The best way to get your specific information is to contact the county auditor’s office.

How long will this project take?
Work will be begin this fall on design with site preparation to begin in the spring.  All projects will be under construction by summer 2011 and anticipated completion by the end of the 2012 school year.

How will students benefit educationally from the construction and renovation of the district’s school facilities?
Students will have up-to-date, modern facilities utilizing the most current technology in which to learn.  Science labs, art rooms, media centers, computer labs, gymnasiums, music facilities, cafeterias and parking will be available.  Teachers and students alike will be able to take advantage of the advanced technology throughout the buildings.  Enhanced state-of-the-art security will help provide a safe learning environment and the energy-efficient heating and cooling systems will help contain or even reduce operating costs in the future.

What will it cost to put the bond issue on the ballot in August?
Since this will be the only issue on the ballot the cost will be approximately $19,000.00.  The district has no choice, because of the timelines dictated in the legislation.

How is this campaign being funded?
Schools are prohibited by law to fund any campaign activities.  The funds for this campaign are coming from fundraisers by the “Our Turn to Change the Future” Committee.  Project BEST and local groups and individuals have also contributed.  All funds must be accounted for and a report sent to the election board after the election.

What will happen to our current school buildings?
There are several options available, the school board can retain and maintain the current old facilities, they can be offered to community schools, auctioned off to interested parties, or the buildings can be demolished.  Money is provided in the Master Plan budget to abate the hazardous materials and demolish the buildings, if the board selects this option.  In this case, the District would retain ownership of the land.

How will the new buildings be better than what we have?
All buildings will be energy efficient and provide the students and staff with the latest technology.  Classrooms, labs and special areas will allow the best offerings possible.  Safety and security will be a major consideration in all planning and construction. All buildings will be handicap accessible; restroom facilities will meet new code requirements.  Space for storage, computers, mounted DLP Projectors, SmartBoards etc.

Will any of the furnishings be transferred, or will they be sold or disposed of?
New furnishings will be supplied to the new elementary and middle school addition.  All of our computers will be transferred to the new building.  Furniture that will complement what is put in the buildings will be added to the new facilities.  Material not used will be sold to another district, auctioned off, or as a last resort, recycled and discarded.  This will be determined by the Board of Education.

What about textbooks?
The facilities program does not provide any money for textbooks.  The district will use the present material now in place.  We will continue to replace our textbooks and educational materials through our general and permanent improvement funds.

How will the schools be maintained financially?
The bond issue includes a one and one half mill for building maintenance.  This one and one half mill will be collected for 28 years and can only be used to maintain the buildings addressed in the Master Plan.

How will the Governor’s new educational reform proposal affect the building program?
This is an unknown at this time. The proposal has not yet been approved and there are a great number of issues concerning funding, staffing, curriculum, etc. This question has been asked of the Ohio School Facilities Commission and they do not have any more information than we do. No schools will be exempt from funding; the Governor wants to change the method of how he funds schools. Yes, there are changes on the horizon but at this time we are not sure how they will affect us. We believe that no matter how the funding evolves we will need all of our school facilities.

If a major business closes will their tax burden fall back on the taxpayer?
No, if a major business were to close the owner of the business would continue to be responsible for the payment of the property taxes.  There would be no charge back to the taxpayers.  You are only responsible for the property that you own.

Will special education classes be located in the same locations?
Each building will be designed to accommodate students with special needs.

We will be able to offer students a better resource room setting, using the current special education staff as K-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6 specialist, etc.

How much time will students spend on bus?
By rearranging, no student transported by the district from their home to the high school site, will be on a bus for longer 1 hour.

Will young and old ride together on the bus?
We wish to continue our dual routing system that is currently used when the new building is opened.  Pre-School through 6^th grade will ride the elementary run while 7^th grade through high school will ride the high school run.

Will bus runs be changed from 2 runs to 1 run to save money?
At the present time, the District has no plans to alter their current transportation procedure.

What will be done to insure safety of students on Campus?
Students will have up-to-date, modern facilities utilizing the most current technology in which to learn.  Science labs, art rooms, media centers, computer labs, gymnasiums, music facilities, cafeterias and parking will be available.  Teachers and students alike will be able to take advantage of the advanced technology throughout the buildings. Enhanced state-of-the-art security will help provide a safe learning environment and the energy-efficient heating and cooling systems will help contain or even reduce operating costs in the future.

Will teachers be fired?
It is the hope of the Board that no teacher will lose their job.  Any positions left vacant due to the retirement / resignation will be absorbed (if possible) in order to maintain fiscally solvent.

Why not revamp the two (next to High School) newest buildings and save 44 million?
The three newest buildings other than the high school are North Elementary in Brilliant, North Middle in Brilliant, and Northwest Elementary in Smithfield.  According to estimates provided by OSFC, renovations to these buildings would be:
 

These estimates would update each building to today’s standards and have an additional life expectance of 50 years.

Will the middle school and high school be integrated or separate?
The middle school will have a separate wing for academic classes.  The middle school students will utilize the existing cafeteria, art room and band room.

Will there be new gyms for extra curricular?
The high school and the new elementary will have two gymnasiums each.  Should we elect to add a gymnasium for the middle school it would be an LFI.  The cost to the district tax payers would be an estimated $2.1 million.

Will bus costs increase?
Though it is difficult to give an exact cost, there is the possibility that an increase is likely in transportation costs due to the need to transport students who would have normally walked to school.  This increase is projected to be small and will be offset by the savings in operation costs of 2 buildings as opposed to 7.

What will happen to the existing schools if the levy does not pass?
Should the levy not pass, it is the district’s responsibility to remain fiscally solvent.  Increasing costs in the areas of maintenance and building operations coupled with decreasing student enrollment will force the district to make difficult decisions.  These “decisions” will involve building closures and staff reductions.

What will happen to existing buildings if the levy passes?
There are several options available, the school board can retain and maintain the current old facilities, they can be offered to community schools, auctioned off to interested parties, or the buildings can be demolished.  Money is provided in the Master Plan budget to abate the hazardous materials and demolish the buildings, if the board selects this option.  In this case, the District would retain ownership of the land.

What is the reorganization plan if the levy does not pass?
We (the district) are optimistic that the bond issue will pass.  However, should the levy not pass, the first step is middle school consolidation followed by elementary reorganization and possible consolidation

Older students with younger students?
At this time, the district has no plans to change its current dual routing system. Upon completion of the building project, students in grades 7-12 will ride the early route and students in grades Pre-school to 6 will ride the later route.

Job security for teachers if bond passes?
It is the hope of the Board that no teacher will loose their job.  Any positions left vacant due to the retirement / resignation will be absorbed (if possible) in order to maintain fiscally solvent.

Job security for teachers if the bond does not pass?
We (the district) are optimistic that the bond issue will pass.  However, should the levy not pass, the first step is middle school consolidation followed by elementary reorganization and possible consolidation

Less students = less teachers = less need for large buildings