COLUMBUS, Ohio — Several schools in Greater Columbus had levies and bonds on the ballots on Nov. 8.
This year, Columbus City Schools did not have an improvement levy and bond issue on the ballot. The school board voted back in August to remove it as they felt it was not the right time to ask voters.
Other central Ohio school districts posted levies and bonds on the ballot that are designed to fund various projects and resolve issues such as overcrowding and keeping academic programs.
Delaware City Schools: The 5.80 million levy would replace an existing emergency levy of 5.81 million that passed in 2011 and was renewed in 2017. The newly proposed levy would provide the district with an annual $6.2 million if passed, according to The Delaware Gazette. The levy would go toward preventing a possible deficit in funding.
New Albany-Plain Local Schools: The 1.75 mill, five-year general permanent improvement replacement levy was proposed to fund capital repairs and replacements. The money would be used for the maintenance of school buildings and equipment, repairing and replacing heating and cooling systems, school buses, facilities and campus infrastructure and technology. If passed, the levy would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2023.
Pickerington Schools: The district will have its third bond issue that it says will help with overcrowding in the schools. The funds would be used to build a new junior high school, renovate Ridgeview Junior High School and add more classrooms to buildings to provide space for more students.
Upper Arlington Schools: The 6.9 mill continuing levy would help fund daily operations and maintain current academic programming, according to the district. If the levy fails, approximately $11 million – which equates to about 100 positions in the district – would have to be cut from the budget within the first year. It would also affect academic programming and extracurriculars for students.
Worthington Schools: The $234 million bond issue would help rebuild Thomas Worthington High School and renovate Worthington Kilbourne High School. The levy would also provide funding for school buses, facility maintenance, technology, playground equipment and furniture.