BELLVILLE, Ohio – The Clear Fork Board of Education is requesting a renewal levy be included on the March 15 primary ballot. A portion of the levy is expected to be earmarked for the replacement of the district’s elementary schools.
Voters in the Clear Fork school district will decide if a 1 percent earned income tax levy will be renewed for a term of 20 years. If voters approve the levy, it is expected to provide an estimated $1.8 million annually.
School district officials say that one-fourth of those revenues will be used to fund the construction of either one or two new elementary schools. The remaining three-fourths are said to provide operating expenses for the district.
School board members did not address the one-versus-two new elementary school building options in their December meeting. The district is still awaiting a commitment from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission supporting their plan to build.
Board member Jim Klenk said he is uncomfortable putting an income tax renewal on the ballot while the district has yet to learn for certain what the State’s share of construction costs will be. The board voted for the renewal levy saying that to be considered on the March primary ballot the district is required to notify the Board of Elections by Dec. 16.
The district has been waiting for reports on the soil condition from each of the four proposed building sites. Josh Predovich, project manager for SHP Leading Design, reported that three of the four sites had test boring’s completed. The results were “better than expected,” Predovich told board members. One final site, located across from the Clear Fork High School and Middle School, has yet to be tested.
Test boring is typically conducted to a depth of 25 feet, Predovich explained. One location, next to the existing Bellville elementary, was found to have some moisture issues in the soil. “That’s to be expected,” Predovich said, “because the location is next to a flood way.”
He said if that site is chosen, four feet of soil will be taken out and allowed to dry before being put back in and re-compacted. The extra cost is still within the cost range originally quoted to the district.
Moving forward with the decision to build one or two buildings will involve two members elected this fall. Carl Gonzalez and Dan Freund will take their place on the board in January.
Board president Jim DeSanto recognized outgoing members Jim Jackson and Randall Freeman, thanking for their service. Freeman said he was glad to have been on the board, adding that he “learned a lot.” Jackson said he enjoyed his experience with the board and pledged his support to the members coming on in January.