Medina Schools to possibly seek $98.9 million for redistricting and facilities plan through bond levy

MEDINA — Medina Schools may seek $98.9 million for the first phase of the district's redistricting and facilities plan after the administration presented the Medina Board of Education its plan on Monday. Medina Schools Superintendent Aaron Sable said that the first phase is essentially the previously discussed Yellow Plan, which is a redistricting plan to reduce the number of elementary schools, transition the elementary buildings to kindergarten through fourth grade, transition A.I. Root Middle School to a fifth through sixth grade school and transition Claggett into a seventh and eighth grade school. If the district received the $98.9 million, Medina Schools Treasurer Dave Chambers said it would completely fund the project's costs. According to Chambers, the full cost would result in a 2.83-mill bond levy. "However, we are working with our bond advisers," he said. "We have a levy that will be falling off here in 2028." Chambers said that they are trying to manipulate the mortgage of the bond so that up until 2028, taxpayers will only have to pay 0.63 mills until the current bond levy drops off, which would collect approximately $22 per year for someone with a $100,000 house. After 2028, the bond levy will then take on the current bond millage of 2.2 mills, adding up to 2.83 mills. In addition, the district is in need of an operating levy. Chambers said that the district has not had any new funds come into the district since the 2013 emergency levy. He said that the district is looking to ask for a 6.5-mill operating levy, which would bring in $7.5 million to $8 million a year, which would collect approximately $220 per year for someone with a $100,000 house. "All together, we're talking $250 per year per $100,000 household," Chambers said. According to Medina Schools' Business Director Ryan O'Cull, an expansion at A.I. Root Middle School would include the creation of a new academic wing, the expansion of the school's cafeteria and a modified secured entrance at the front. With A.I. Root planned for fifth through sixth grade students, the plan includes the construction of a new seventh through eighth grade building across the street from the current Claggett Middle School building. "Once the new seven-eight (building) is constructed, we'll then start with the new multipurpose stadium," O'Cull said, which would require the demolition of the current Claggett building for its construction. He said that the construction of the new stadium will provide middle school students with both a track to use, along with a multipurpose field. The plan would also include the replacement of the bleachers at Ken Dukes Stadium, which were built in the mid-1970s. Contact reporter Sara Crawford at (330) 721-4063 or scrawford@medina-gazette.com.