West Clermont officials outline bond finances, ESSER spending and plan to submit testimony to Ohio lawmakers

District finance and administrative leaders reviewed the district's funding plan for proposed construction and maintenance and described how one‑time federal ESSER funds were previously invested in curriculum, safety, technology and staff supports.

Presenters told the West Clermont Local School District board on May 5 that the district expects three main funding sources to support maintenance of new facilities if the bond passes: existing permanent improvement funds (limited by prior debt payments), the half‑mill maintenance requirement tied to participation in the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) program, and the proposed combined earned income and property tax approved by voters on the May 6 ballot. "There are actually 3 sources when those new facilities, whether it's the renovations, whether it's the new buildings... could assist in that," a staff member said.

Officials described prior federal assistance: the district received about $14,000,000 in ESSER funds beginning in 2021. Staff said the ESSER money and a roughly $3,000,000 valuation increase after the 2020 reappraisal funded an "Onward and Upward" strategy that invested in safety, instructional technology, updated curriculum and staff recruitment/retention. "We wanted to come out better," the presenter said of the district's use of one‑time funds.

The presentation included projections and clarifications requested by board members and the public: district projections show possible growth of about 1,300 students over coming years (equivalent to roughly two elementary schools), and an architect estimate cited by staff put the cost to upgrade HVAC, roofs, electrical and plumbing across aging district buildings at about $65,000,000 if completed imminently. Presenters noted the $65 million estimate focused on maintenance elements for certain older buildings, and does not include potential costs for portable classrooms tied to enrollment growth.

Board members asked how revenue growth and state funding formulas affect long‑term local funding needs. Presenters explained that a district's property valuation per pupil and adjusted gross income per pupil affect state funding; if the state's guarantee in the Fair School Funding Formula were reduced or removed, the district could see less state aid and face increased pressure on local revenue. The board discussed advocacy strategies and staff said they will submit written testimony to the Ohio Senate and meet with state lawmakers to urge: maintaining the guarantee in the Fair School Funding Formula, removing temporary bridge funding that weakens phase‑in of the formula, and updating base cost inputs to reflect current costs.

A district official said testimony must be submitted by the following day and that meetings with state legislators were scheduled in the coming week. Board members and staff described outreach to the Chamber of Commerce, union representatives and local legislators as part of the advocacy plan.

No board vote was required on the presentation itself; trustees heard the briefing and directed staff to proceed with refining and submitting testimony to the state.