Amy Wentworth, superintendent of the New Philadelphia City School District, previewed the district’s facilities plan and the Nov. 4, 2025 bond vote in a short video message released to the community.
Wentworth said the district’s plan calls for construction of a new pre-K–6 elementary school and a 7–12 middle–high school to replace aging buildings. "The average age of our academic buildings is 80 years old," she said. She told viewers the state, "via the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, is providing 55% of the funding for the project."
The superintendent said the district began working with community members, staff, students, city officials and business leaders in mid-2023 to develop a facilities master plan. The district’s board of education formally adopted that plan in 2024, Wentworth said.
Wentworth described the plan as aiming to provide modern learning spaces, updated technology, safety features and community spaces. She said the series of videos will explain "what a school bond issue is, the infrastructure in our district, and our partnership with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, the OFCC," and invited residents to watch weekly updates.
The statement did not specify a final project cost, the local share of the proposed bond, a timeline for construction, or a projected number of students affected. The video also did not include details on any formal agreements with OFCC beyond the stated 55% funding share.
The district is scheduled to ask voters to approve the bond issue on Nov. 4, 2025; Wentworth’s remarks framed the videos as part of the district’s community outreach ahead of that ballot date. The superintendent closed by thanking the community for support and encouraging viewers to follow the weekly updates.