Buckeye officially puts bond issue on November ballot

YORK TWP. — Voters in the Buckeye area will once again decide this November whether to construct a new school in the district. The Buckeye Board of Education passed a resolution to proceed during its meeting on Tuesday, which officially puts the district's bond issue on the general election ballot. Phase one of addressing facilities involves constructing a new Buckeye High School with a main competition gymnasium and a 600-seat auditorium. It also includes improving campus traffic flow, moving the alumni stadium and putting in the infrastructure to add on a junior high school in the future. "The approval to proceed represents our commitment to providing our students with a safe, modern and inspiring learning environment," Board President Seth Kujat said. "The collaborative effort between the district and the community has resulted in a well-crafted plan that addresses our immediate needs and sets the foundation for future growth." The approximately 3.92-mill bond issue would raise $59 million and last 35 years. The owner of a $100,000 home would pay about $11.42 a month upon passage. "We discussed that not moving forward is the more expensive option because you're going to continue to invest in the existing buildings and the cost to build will continue to go up," board member Roy Salazar said. The district will also use $8 million from its general fund and a $10 million certificate of participation loan to fund the project. "When you look at our school district as a business, our debt is near a record low with the elementary school being paid off in the next year," Salazar said. "Our cash is at a record high. We certainly know we're going to be around for the long haul." When the new high school is built, seventh and eighth grade students will move to the existing high school, which will have renovations. At an unknown later date, the district will need to pass another bond issue to construct a new junior high school to complete the plan's second phase. "There are some cost savings there by not building a combined middle school and high school yet," Kujat said. "This will also allow us to take into consideration any adjustments in enrollment when we do go to build a middle school eventually, whenever that may be." Renderings of what a new high school would look like will hopefully be ready to show the public in August, he said. For future updates on facilities in the district, visit tinyurl.com/2nebmspf. "With the board's approval of the resolution to proceed with the bond issue, we are taking a significant step forward," Superintendent Jeff Stanton said. "We are planning our future together, and our district will continue to provide information regarding the campus facilities master plan and upcoming bond issue." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.