Woodmore asks voters to support building project

Other area districts on ballot include Napoleon, Patrick Henry

Amanda Kinison, a fourth-grade teacher at Woodmore Elementary School, says cracks in the floor of her classroom have resulted in students tripping and falling. The school was built in 1923.

The Blade/Jetta Fraser
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The Woodmore school system is seeking approval of a $15.7 million bond issue to help fund replacement of its elementary school, which has experienced flooding.

Woodmore Local Schools Superintendent John Fernbaugh says he's hopeful the district's third request for a 37-year, $15.7 million bond issue will be approved to help replace the district's aging elementary school.

The bond issue, which would be coupled with $7 million from the Ohio School Facilities Commission to build a school in Woodville, would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $166.29 a year.

Supportive parents have been working with school officials to explain why the existing Woodmore Elementary in Woodville, which was built in 1923, needs to be replaced instead of renovated as some want, Mr. Fernbaugh said.

VOTER'S GUIDE TO SUPER TUESDAY

Renovation would cost the district about $12 million, or $3 million less than replacement, and there would be no place to educate students during a renovation project, he said.

"We have some parents who are working really hard," Mr. Fernbaugh said. "They've done a lot of good things."

Woodmore is among several school districts asking voters to approve financial measures Tuesday.

For the first time, the Napoleon Area City School District is asking voters for a 37-year, $31.5 million bond issue to help build an elementary and add a junior high wing to the high school, which also would be renovated, said Mike Bostelman, school district treasurer.

The state school facilities commission would contribute $17.4 million to the $48.9 million project, which would replace two elementaries and a combined elementary/middle school, Mr. Bostelman said.

The bond issue would cost the owner of a $100,000 house about $190 a year.

Mr. Bostleman said he hopes that residents understand that construction is a better choice than renovating aging schools.

"We're very hopeful that our community will see that it's better to invest in new energy-efficient buildings," Mr. Bostelman said. "We're hopeful that it will pass."

The Napoleon school system also has an income tax levy of 0.25 percent for five years on the ballot, which would raise $602,000 a year for operations.

Amanda Kinison, a fourth-grade teacher at Woodmore Elementary School, says cracks in the floor of her classroom have resulted in students tripping and falling. The school was built in 1923.

In the Patrick Henry Local School District, officials are again asking voters to approve an emergency levy, this one for 5.5 mills and three years to raise $746,745 annually.

The levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 house $168.44 a year.

The Evergreen Local School District is asking voters to approve a 0.5 percent income tax levy for five years, which would raise $833,739 a year for operational expenses.

Four County Joint Vocational School in Archbold is seeking a 0.2-mill additional continuing permanent improvement levy on the ballot for building maintenance, equipment replacement, and other needs. It would cost the owner of a $100,000 house $3.12 a year.

The Tiffin City School District has an additional 4.9-mill continuing levy for operations on the ballot. It would cost the owner of a $100,000 house $150 a year.

The Genoa Area Local School District is asking voters to approve replacing two existing five-year permanent improvement levies with one five-year, 1.6 mill permanent improvement levy.

Owners of a $100,000 house would continue to pay $49 a year.

Elsewhere on Tuesday's ballot:

The Bowling Green City School District is asking for renewal of a 0.5 percent income tax for five years.

The North Baltimore Local School District is seeking a 1 percent income tax for five years.

The Rossford Exempted Village School District is asking voters to renew two 7.9-mill, five-year operating levies.

The Swanton Local School District is asking for renewal of a 4.22-mill, five-year emergency levy.

Contact Julie M. McKinnon at: jmckinnon@theblade.com or 419-724-6087.