Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Facilities Bond topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
West Clermont board outlines May 6 bond to build new PreK–4 school, citing overcrowding and long-term savings
Summary
At its April 21 meeting the West Clermont Local School Board reviewed a "statement of facts" about a May 6 ballot measure to build a new PreK–4 elementary that would reduce the districtfrom seven elementary schools to six; presenters said the measure aims to ease overcrowding and capture Ohio Facilities Commission funding.
Dr. Fultz, superintendent of West Clermont Local School District, told the board on April 21 that the district will ask voters on May 6 to approve a proposal to build a new PreK–4 elementary school and reorganize grade assignments.
"This is for a new pre k 4 elementary school that which would reduce our elementaries from 7 to 6, become more efficient, and to have some operational savings down the road," Dr. Fultz said, summarizing the "statement of facts" the board has been distributing.
District leaders said the proposal responds to elementary overcrowding and to what they described as an unusually large middle school with an early start time. "Who's gonna be impacted most by these facilities? The answer is if you're in kindergarten, you're gonna be the first fifth grader in this new building," Dr. Fultz said, describing how grade rolls would shift as cohorts advance.
Why it matters: board members and staff said the project could make use of a 20% funding match through the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) if voters approve the measure. District leaders told the board that without voter approval the timing for any construction is uncertain and operational needs (maintenance, roofs, HVAC, asphalt, windows) would compete with classroom priorities in future budgets.
Supporters and staff described outreach the district has done, including PTO and booster-club meetings, one-page fact sheets, website materials and short videos summarizing financing and frequently asked questions. Dr. Fultz said staff and trustees are available to meet with small community groups and answer questions directly.
Board members acknowledged concerns they said they have heard in community conversations: whether residents can afford the measure, confusion about the proposed tax rate (several people have misstated the levy as 25% instead of 0.25"), and questions about what happens to district operating priorities if the capital plan proceeds. Dr. Fultz said the ballot language would restrict levy proceeds to building infrastructure and not to classroom salaries or benefits.
Board members and district staff also discussed enrollment and long-term projections; the superintendent referenced a district projection that he summarized as an increase of about "1,300 more students by 02/1930" in the transcript. That phrasing in the record is unclear; the district materials on the bond-information section of the district website include more detail and the board said it will provide clarifications there.
The board encouraged residents to review the districts online materials and fact sheets, and to direct questions to staff by phone or by scheduled small-group meetings. The board set its next meeting for May 5, one day before the May 6 election.
