PATA History Pages

School Bond Issue to go on May Ballot

From This Week in Pickerington

Thursday, February 17, 2005
By MACKENZIE FRY
ThisWeek Staff Writer
The Pickerington Board of Education voted Monday to put a $36-million bond issue on the May ballot.
If approved, it would pay for construction of two new elementary schools, an expanded preschool program at a new or existing building, the purchase of land and permanent improvements.
The bond issue equates to 2.4 mills and was the least expensive of three options the board considered. The board voted unanimously for what it had termed "option two."
"You want to keep the millage and the rate as low as possible," said Superintendent Robert Thiede, who called the option "a very simple plan" that would be easy to explain to the public.
Two-thirds of voters rejected a $36.2-million bond issue in November.
Board member Lisa Reade said she thought a $55-million, 3.7-mill option was the best choice, but the board must consider the economy, the constituents and what the market can bear.
She said she does not think the market can bear the $55-million option.
In addition to those things provided in the chosen option, the 3.7-mill bond issue also would have allowed for a new middle school and for multi-purpose room additions at two existing elementary schools, but did not include the land purchase.
The board also rejected a $38.5-million, 2.6-mill option that was the same as the $36-million option except that it also would have provided for the multi-purpose rooms.
Reade said she believes residents can "tighten their belts" and afford the $36-million bond issue.
The board has often stressed the need to provide more elementary housing as soon as possible. Reade said the two new elementaries would increase the number of elementary school seats to 4,299 -- a figure she said will serve the district until about 2013.
"I have nothing against option two; I just think that (option) one is the way to go," board member Jim Brink said.
Option one would have allowed the board to delay some construction for several years, selling the bonds at two separate times.
Brink said this did present a negative: "To sell an issue this way is very complex," he said. "Selling the bonds at different times results in different millages," something that would be difficult to explain to the public.
Brink said the district must build a middle school in several years at any rate, necessitating another ballot issue at that time.
"Even if we don't pass option one, option one is essentially what we are doing," he said.
Brink, however, joined the rest of the board in approving option two.
Pickerington resident Jack Wittenmeier praised the board's decision, saying it had merged "the preferred with the possible."
Wittenmeier said his children are grown, but he worries about the effect split sessions would have on two-income families. The board has said such changes likely will be necessary should the bond issue fail.
"What are those people going to do?" Wittenmeier said.

PLSD Bond Issue

This Week in Pickerington