Supt. Jeffrey, K. Lewis, Ed.D.
Xenia Community Schools

On November 3, the Xenia community will vote on a very important item - Issue 28 - the request to build new schools. This is NOT the same issue as last May and November. Our Board of Education was told by the community in surveys, focus groups and at the polls that the major overhaul of all school buildings was not needed and the requested cost was too much.

The Board listened and responded with a scaled back bond issue that takes advantage of many opportunities to make the dollar request as low as possible.

Our community told us it recognized a need for replacing the aging elementary schools. The Board responded by modifying the plan to address only the elementary buildings. Our community said it did not believe a new high school was needed. As a result, the high school and "Under One Roof" are not in this plan. Our community said the amount of nearly 8 mills was too much to ask, especially with the state of the local and national economy. The Board reduced its request substantially. Yes, our community made its feelings known---and the school board responded accordingly.

So what is the scaled back plan and bond issue?

On November 3, voters will be asked to approve 3.2 mills to construct five elementary school buildings. These will replace the seven elementary schools used now to educate students in grades pre-school through fifth grade.

New schools will be built on the current sites of Cox Elementary School, McKinley Elementary School, Shawnee Elementary School, Tecumseh Elementary School and either Spring Hill or Arrowood Elementary School. The site at Spring Hill is currently being studied as far as suitability for construction because of the area’s natural underground springs.

Of the total millage, 2.7 mills will be for construction; the remaining 0.5 mill is required by the state for permanent improvement on school buildings. This amounts to $47.50 per half on a $100,000 home. For senior citizens, the amount will be approximately $37 per half. In addition, the 2.7 mills will not be collected until 2013 if the issue is passed on November 3. The tobacco money is still in the picture, and 46 percent of the project will be paid with those state funds.

This issue is critical to our students and staff but very important to the community-at-large, as well. The older elementary schools are 50 to 61 years old. To keep putting small band-aids on buildings that need somuch more is an unwise use of tax revenue. Furthermore, if we do not take advantage of this last-chance for state money, LOCAL taxpayers will have to put up 100 percent of the cost to replace buildings in the future. That would be prohibitively expensive for our homeowners.

Remember: Issue 28 will fund construction of elementary schools ONLY. Please visit www.xenia.k12.oh.us or our Facebook site at Xenia Community Schools for more information about Issue 28.

Dr. Jeff Lewis
Superintendent
Xenia Community Schools
(937) 376-2961