Selected Master Plan
After extensive community engagement including public forums, surveys and multiple Community Advisory Team (CAT) Meetings, the CAT team recommended that the Board of Education move forward with the master plan option including:
1. The construction of a new PK-8 building at the Liberty-Benton High School site.
2. Limited renovations to Liberty-Benton High School recommended by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission to extend the life of the building. These renovations are not full, like-new renovations.
3. Construction of an 800-seat auditorium on the campus to reflect the district’s growing student interest and commitment to the performing arts.
Costs & Millage
The selected Master Plan will cost $45,576,101. The local share is $25,594,646 and the state share is $19,981,455. State funds cover 57% of what is considered “standard school construction” with the remainder the responsibility of the school district.
A voted property tax bond issue was on the ballot during the Primary Election on Tuesday, May 7th.
This request was for 7.3 mills (6.8 mills for construction and 0.5 mills required for continuing maintenance of the building).
The 7.3 millage will begin in January of 2020, the same time the bond issue for the High School construction expires.
These expiring High School bonds were originally passed at 7.6 mills and are currently collected at 1.8 mills after years of reductions.
Ultimately, this request is a true tax impact of 5.5 mills or an additional $16.08 per month for the owner of a $100K property.