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Lakota Local board approves construction manager as district readies $200M facilities plan and November levy
Summary
The Lakota Local Schools board reviewed a master facilities plan that would consolidate grade bands, build four elementary schools and seek OFCC partnership to recoup roughly 32% of costs. Trustees approved a construction-manager-at-risk resolution and discussed levy ballot language and tax‑impact messaging ahead of the November vote.
The Lakota Local Schools board on an August meeting reviewed a multi‑phase master facilities plan that proposes new school construction, grade‑band consolidation and a November bond/levy to fund the work, with staff urging outreach to clarify voter costs.
Board and district staff described a three‑phase timetable that would begin construction in 2026–27, bring grades 6–12 online for the 2028–29 school year and open new preK–5 elementary buildings in 2029–30. Facilities staff said the district is pursuing an Expedited Local Partnership program with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission to secure approximately 32% state reimbursement, which the district estimated could translate to about $200 million in co‑funding to offset local costs.
"We decided officially upon the four new elementary schools and where they would be built," a facilities official said, describing sites for Shawnee (with Adena to be decommissioned), a Hopewell area site, a Woodland/Liberty Junior area and a West Freshman/Creekside Central Campus site. The presentation emphasized goals raised in community listening sessions: more flexible learning spaces, fewer building transitions and smaller classroom sizes (targeting about 24 students per teacher).
Treasurer and finance staff walked the board through levy mechanics and voter messaging. The district outlined options that would restructure millage to realize operational efficiencies; staff said the legal ballot language will show higher millage (the bond portion listed as 4.99 mills on the ballot) while the district’s timing and roll‑off of existing levies would result in a lower estimated household impact of about $93.10 per $100,000 of assessed value in the initial collection year. "When you factor in the drop of 2.28, that'll be in calendar year '28," staff said, explaining the difference between the ballot figure and projected collection.
Board members pressed staff on transparency and tools to help voters. A trustee asked whether the district could provide a web calculator using county auditor values so homeowners can see the net effect after timing and roll‑offs; staff said they have county data extracts and will explore adding that functionality to the district website and making spreadsheets available.
Trustees also approved procurement steps tied to the program. By roll call, the board passed a resolution to partner with Skanska as the construction manager at risk and to continue working with architect Elevar for the master facilities work. The motion passed with affirmative roll‑call votes from members present.
Board members stressed that the timeline to secure OFCC partnership and state reimbursement makes outreach urgent: staff urged recorded presentations and many community informational sessions so residents can understand the differences between ballot language and the expected net tax impact. District leaders emphasized that if the November ballot measure fails, the district will need to rely on the existing footprint and may later face an operating levy to cover needs.
Next steps: staff said they will continue community sessions, refine voter education materials (including the potential web calculator) and proceed with the OFCC application and procurement prework. The board approved the construction‑manager resolution and other finance items tied to the plan; the board will consider further finance approvals at upcoming meetings.
