Heritage South, North and the Middle School are overcrowded; and the district is projecting continuing growth; therefore, it is important to continue to plan for the future to adequately house the student population in terms of facilities.

The High School will remain 9 – 12, the new middle school will be grades 6, 7 & 8; Heritage North and South will become Heritage Elementary and house grades 3, 4, & 5; Avon East Elementary School will remain grades 1 & 2; and the Village School will be retired.  The existing Middle School will then house Kindergarten and the pre-school special needs students.

 

If the bond issue fails then the present buildings will house the following based on enrollment projections for 2015 - 16:

 

Village School:  K & Pre-school special needs --- 420 students --- 45,000 square feet

East Elementary: 1 & 2 --- 685 students --- 68,000 square feet

Heritage South & Connector:  3 & 4 --- 725 students --- 76,000 square feet

Heritage North:  5 & 6 --- 775 students --- 70,000 square feet

Middle School: 7 & 8 --- 715 students --- 55,000 square feet

High School:  9 – 12 --- 1363 students --- 191,000 square feet

 

If the bond issue passes then the buildings will house the following based on enrollment projections for 2015 - 16:

 

Village School:  Retired but still owned by the district

East Elementary: 1 & 2 --- 725 students 68,000 square feet

Heritage Elementary:  3, 4, & 5 --- 1,110 students --- 146,000 square feet

New Middle School:  6, 7, & 8 --- (approximately 1,100 – 1,200 students and 150,000-160,000 square feet

Existing Middle School: K & Pre-school special needs --- 420 students --- 55,000 square feet

High School:  9 – 12 --- 1363 students --- 191,000 square feet

 

How will the district pay for the construction of the new middle school?

This fall (November, 2012), the Board of Education has placed a 2.34 mill bond issue for 28 years on the ballot that will raise $32 million. 

 

If the millage is 2.34, how can it not cost a property owner additional taxes?

In previous debt structures, the district built in a drop of 2 mills for 2014 - 15.  As the bonds will not be sold until 2013, the law provides the district the ability to move the drop up and consequently, in the financing of the bonds for 28 years a homeowner will be assessed 0 mills instead of the 2.34.  Therefore, this is a no new tax rate bond issue.

 

Why can’t the district just ask for 0 mills?

According to law the district must ask for the 2.25 mills in order to raise the $32 million needed to build the new school.  The district is able to finance it so that it is “capturing” the 2 mill drop built into the existing debt repayment structure that would have occurred in 2014; so that the taxpayer will not have their tax rate increased.

As early as 1994, the Avon Board of Education recognized the future growth possibilities of the community and the school district.  In recognizing the capital needs that usually accompany the onset of rapid growth, the District created specialized bond issues in 1996, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2014, and 2021. The purpose of these special structures was to provide the ability to pay for future new buildings and improvements without increasing the taxes on the homeowner.  In fact, the 2000 bonds for Heritage Elementary were the first bonds issued in the community under this innovative bond plan.  That bond issue provided the District $8,000,000 without increasing the tax rate on taxpayers in Avon.

 

Once again, the District needs space for the students of Avon. Based on the unparalleled growth over the last several years, the District can issue bonds again without increasing the tax rate to repay them.  Based on the latest calculations, the district can raise $32,000,000 using the “no increase in tax rate” plan.

 

Like the Heritage Elementary bonds in 2000, the $32,000,000 will appear on the ballot reflecting a millage of 2.34 mills.  In reality, however, this will not increase the tax rate. The continued growth, from new construction only, will combine with existing payments to provide the taxes necessary to repay the bonds.  For example, the owner of a $200,000 home is paying $162.34 semi-annually for existing bonds today. That taxpayer would continue to pay that amount when the new bonds are issued.  Likewise, any new homeowner or business with property of the same value would be required to pay $162.34 semi-annually that others already in the community pay.

 

A “no increase in tax rate” bond issue is the only way the Avon Board of Education can continue to manage growth by providing new facilities without increasing the tax rate, while assuring that new taxpayers share equally in the responsibility of repaying bonds.

Will the bond issue be used to equip the new middle school?

Yes, desks, furniture, computers, fixtures, and other items for the new middle school.

 

Why can’t the district renovate or add onto the existing middle school?

The original section of the existing middle school building was constructed in 1955.   In a study completed in 2012, the building was rated as below standard according to OSFC standards as a middle school.   Even though it is rated as below standard as a middle school; the study commented that it could continue to be used as a facility for Pre-School and primary education.  

What is the difference between a Bond Issue, a Permanent Improvement Levy and an Operating Levy?

A bond issue is a tax from which the proceeds can only be used to pay for school construction, major renovations or purchase assets (land). A permanent improvement levy is a tax from which the proceeds can only be used to make improvements (roofs, asphalt, etc.) to school property that will last at least 5 years, or purchase assets (land).  An operating levy is a tax from which the proceeds may only be used to pay for the day-to-day operations of running a school district; including supplies, utilities, textbooks, equipment, salaries, insurance, transportation, etc.

 

 

What is the existing debt service of the district?

The district has a debt service of 5.3 mills and if the bond issue passes the debt service will NOT be increased.

The district is continuing to experience tremendous growth and nothing indicates that the growth will slow down.  In fact with the new interchange going in; it will probably accelerate the growth faster than the projections indicate. 

 

If the bond issue passes, the design, planning, and construction of a new middle school will take thirty (30) months. The proposed new middle school will not open until the 2015 – 2016 school year.  Based on projections there will be another 500 students in the district prior to the start of the 2015 – 16 school year (4,600); which is an increase from the 4,078 that were in the district for the 2011 – 12 school year.  In addition, projections indicate that 5,000 students may be enrolled for the 2020 – 21 school year. 

 

Making a decision now will save taxpayers money in the future.  Increased construction costs will multiply the cost of building a much needed school in the future.

Monies are not available to the Avon Local School District from OSFC as the district is ranked 562 out of 613 districts to receive monies and at the moment the OSFC is in the early 400’s to fund school districts.  In addition, if OSFC monies were available, the district would only receive 8% from the state of which 6.5% must go to a construction manager.

A comprehensive, well-planned school system with top quality academics enhances the value of every home and business.  Nothing hurts the value of a community’s homes as much as an inadequate school system.

 

Avon Schools are central to the community.  Many residents and groups utilize the schools for community functions and meetings.  Some have children in the schools, many do not.  All are encouraged to share in the partnership of schools and community.

The need for a middle school building will still be there!  Two negative results occur if the Bond Issue fails:
1.) Passing a Bond Issue later will result in higher costs for construction
2.) Any delay in passing the bond issue will result in the middle school not being completed for the 2015 – 16 school year.