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New Philadelphia City Schools outlines plan to consolidate into two buildings; tied to November bond levy
Summary
District staff described a master facilities plan to consolidate five elementary grade-banded schools into a pre‑K–6 building and a 7–12 middle‑high building, contingent on a local bond levy and a 55% state match.
A district staff member said New Philadelphia City Schools is proposing a master facilities plan to consolidate its current grade‑banded elementary schools into two buildings and would fund the work through a local bond levy this November plus a 55% matching contribution from the state of Ohio.
The proposal, as described by the staff member, would reorganize the district from five grade‑banded elementary sites into one pre‑K through sixth grade building and one combined seventh through 12th grade middle‑high school. The district currently operates East Elementary (pre‑K–1), York Elementary (K–1), South Elementary (2–3), West Elementary (preschool and grade 4), Central Elementary (grade 5) and Joseph Welty Middle School (6–8), with New Philadelphia High School serving grades 9–12.
District staff framed the consolidation as a response to logistical and educational challenges tied to grade banding. They said the current structure requires some families to manage drop‑offs and pick‑ups at multiple schools with different start and end times, and can split parental involvement across several school communities. The staff member also summarized research concerns the district cited, including potential academic gaps when students move frequently between buildings and social and emotional stress from repeated transitions.
According to the presentation, the master facilities plan aims to simplify transportation, reduce operating expenses, and “pool academic resources” so students can maintain longer relationships with teachers and peers. The transcript did not specify the dollar amount of the proposed bond levy or a timetable beyond “this November.” The staff member said the state of Ohio would provide matching funds equal to 55% of eligible project costs; the transcript did not specify the statutory source or program name for that match.
No formal vote or final action on the plan was recorded in the provided transcript excerpt. The staff member described the plan and the funding strategy; the plan’s implementation is contingent on voter approval of the local bond levy and receipt of the stated state match.
If the levy proceeds as described, district staff said the consolidation would eliminate the current grade banding arrangement and move the district toward the two‑building model. Further details about project cost, timelines, the effect on individual school buildings, staff assignments, or specific enrollment counts were not specified in the transcript.
Next steps identified in the presentation were limited to the funding pathway: passage of the local bond levy and the 55% state match. The transcript did not record a board motion, vote, or additional public comment on the proposal in the provided excerpt.
