Ontario school board considers $41 million bond issue for facility maintenance, upgrades

ONTARIO — Ontario Local Schools could receive $19 million in state funds to bring its buildings up to date.

But that funding depends on voters approving local tax dollars to generate an additional $41 million for the upgrades.

Ontario Local Schools is eligible for $19 million from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, an agency that (among other things) manages state funds for construction and renovation of public K-12 schools.

The OFCC determines which schools are eligible for funding and how much, based on their enrollment and condition of their existing facilities.

A small group of residents met Wednesday night in the Ontario High School library to discuss potential renovations with Ontario school officials and representatives from Garmann Miller, an architecture design firm.

They said that in order for Ontario to access its $19 million from the OFCC, it must do two things: commit to the repairs deemed necessary by the OFCC and secure enough local funding to carry out those renovations.

What are the renovations being considered?

Nearly all of the renovations Ontario is considering are ones required by the OFCC, based on analysis of the district’s facilities.

The OFCC evaluates school buildings based largely on practical, infrastructure-related considerations like heating, cooling, ventilation, electric, plumbing, windows, structure, lighting, security systems, safety and handicap accessibility.

On Wednesday, Garmann Miller presented community members with an overview of its proposed master facility plan.

With a price tag of $60.1 million, it would cover all renovations required by the OFCC.

Representatives from Garmann Miller shared an overview of the “big ticket” renovations at both buildings. 

They included:

• Heating ($17.7 million for both buildings)
• Electrical ($6.3 million for both buildings)
• Technology ($4.2 million for both buildings)
• Roofing ($1.2 million for Stingel Elementary)
• Plumbing ($1.1 million for the middle/high school)
• Site condition ($1.5 million for the middle and high school)
• General finishes ($3.3 million for both buildings)

The $60.1 million plan also includes $3.36 million in “locally funded initiatives” — extras that aren’t deemed necessary by the state and aren’t required in order to receive funding.

Those LFIs include a new press box, concession building and bleachers at the football stadium, as well as new tennis courts and a pavilion.

How much would it cost local taxpayers?

If approved by the school board and voters, the local share of the proposed master facilities project is estimated at $41,068,605.

Officials from Garmann Miller shared an analysis, conducted last month by Baird, that laid out how much it would cost to fund a $41 million levy over 30 or 37 years. 

A 30-year bond would cost property owners between $191 and $201 yearly for every $100,000 of appraised property value (as determined by the county auditor).  

A 37-year bond would cost between $172 and $182 each year.

The analysis found Ontario’s median appraised home value is currently $193,200.

Once the OFCC finalizes its approval of Ontario’s master plan, the district has 16 months to secure its local funding share, according to s Monica Bruaw of Garmann Miller.

In order to put a levy on the ballot in May, the board of education would need to approve two resolutions before Feb. 4. Those votes will likely take place at the board’s regularly scheduled December and January board meetings.

Treasurer says it would be ‘foolish’ not to try to secure $19 million state share

Ontario Treasurer Randy Harvey said he feels it would be foolish not to secure state funding for renovations the district will eventually need to complete anyway.

But Harvey also said if Ontario will likely need to put an operating levy on the ballot in the next three to four years. Operating levies are used for every day expenses like salaries, employee benefits and supplies.

Harvey told residents earlier this year that he estimated Ontario could continue to operate on its current funding for the next seven to nine years.

Then state legislators approved a two-year budget with less funding than expected for public schools. A property tax relief measure approved by county commissioners followed, costing Ontario around $170,000 annually in local tax revenue.

Meanwhile, Harvey said deferring maintenance could also cost Ontario down the road. He cited a section of pipes in the middle and high school that run from the library to the swimming pool.

The pipes are from the 1960s, he said, and could eventually burst as sediment forms along the insides.

When asked if the districtwide renovation plan would have cost-saving benefits, Harvey said it would likely alleviate the $500,000 to $600,000 he budgets each year for as-needed repairs.