Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Why?
Despite the hard work of our maintenance staff, many of our building systems are nearing or are well beyond their lifespan. In addition, our classroom space does not reflect what students will encounter in today’s colleges and job market. That makes sense when you consider the fact that our buildings range from 30 to 80 years old and were not built with today’s learning needs in mind.
Aging Buildings: The school district noticed that its buildings were old and costly to maintain. The average elementary school is 63 years old, with some buildings dating back to 1939.
Facilities Planning Committee: A committee was formed to assess the situation and develop a long-term plan. They found that major systems (HVAC, electrical) in many buildings were beyond repair, making renovation more expensive than rebuilding.
Recommendations: The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) suggested replacing most buildings due to high renovation costs.
How?
Collaboration: Since 2019, the district has worked with ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) and gathered community input to create a master plan. The preferred option involves building four new elementary schools.
Levy Passed: In 2022 and 2023, levies were passed to fund daily operations, but these funds are separate from those for new construction.
The Plan:
Phase 1 (November 2024 Ballot): Estimated at $238 million, this phase includes:
New Schools: Four new elementary schools and one new middle school will be built.
Demolition: Old schools will be demolished, except for Woodland Elementary.
Construction Timeline: Students will stay in current schools during construction, with safety measures in place.
OFCC Partnership: The district will be reimbursed 27% of the co-funded project portions.
Future Phases:
Phase 2 will focus on renovating the high school, depending on future funding.
What is the purpose of developing a facility master plan?
Our schools are a great source of pride in the community. In order to protect our residents’ investment in our schools, from time to time, we analyze the way we do business to ensure we deliver on the quality and efficiency our community expects, including our school buildings.
Do our schools offer "safe, warm and dry" learning environments?
Do our buildings support a modern education that will best prepare them for college and the job market?
Does it make sense to invest taxpayer dollars into buildings that are, on average, 63 years old?
These are only a few of the wide-ranging questions being considered as the district plans for its present and future facility needs. When the facility master plan is complete, the board of education will decide on next steps and whether or not to move forward with an action plan.
Phase 1 (November 2024 Ballot): Estimated at $238 million, this phase includes:
New Schools: Four new elementary schools and one new middle school will be built.
Demolition: Old schools will be demolished, except for Woodland Elementary.
Construction Timeline: Students will stay in current schools during construction, with safety measures in place.
OFCC Partnership: The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) is a state agency that oversees the planning, design, and construction of public facilities in Ohio, including schools. They evaluate school buildings, determine whether to renovate or rebuild, and help fund and manage these projects to ensure safe and modern facilities. The district will be reimbursed 27% of the co-funded project portion.
Future Phases: Phase 2 will focus on renovating the high school, depending on future funding.
Key Details:
Key Details:
Bond Issue: A 35-year bond with a 5% interest rate at 8.89 mills is proposed to fund construction.
Safety: Constructing a new educational facility on the same site as an existing school while students continue to attend is a common practice. Ensuring safety and security requires a comprehensive and strategic approach. Key measures include installing construction fencing and Jersey barriers, designating separate entrances for contractors and material deliveries, maintaining daily communication with school administrators, and developing a detailed security plan that outlines authorized work areas. Additionally, all workers on site undergo background checks to further ensure the safety of students and staff.
Sustainability: The new buildings will be LEED Silver Certified, emphasizing energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and reduced environmental impact. Key features include the use of energy-efficient HVAC systems that optimize fresh air circulation and control humidity, low-emitting materials to minimize indoor pollutants, and low-flow fixtures to conserve water. The design will focus on creating a healthy, comfortable environment for students and staff while minimizing the buildings' carbon footprint.
What is the purpose of developing a facility master plan?
Our schools are a great source of pride in the community. In order to protect our residents’ investment in our schools, from time to time, we analyze the way we do business to ensure we deliver on the quality and efficiency our community expects, including our school buildings.
Do our schools offer "safe, warm and dry" learning environments?
Do our buildings support a modern education that will best prepare them for college and the job market?
Does it make sense to invest taxpayer dollars into buildings that are, on average, 63 years old?
These are only a few of the wide-ranging questions being considered as the district plans for its present and future facility needs. When the facility master plan is complete, the board of education will decide on next steps and whether or not to move forward with an action plan.
Difference Between Funding Types:
Key Details:
Bond Issue: A 35-year bond with a 5% interest rate at 8.89 mills is proposed to fund construction.
Safety: Detailed safety plans will be in place during construction.
Sustainability: New buildings will be LEED Silver Certified, focusing on energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
What is the purpose of developing a facility master plan?
Our schools are a great source of pride in the community. In order to protect our residents’ investment in our schools, from time to time, we analyze the way we do business to ensure we deliver on the quality and efficiency our community expects, including our school buildings.
Do our schools offer "safe, warm and dry" learning environments?
Do our buildings support a modern education that will best prepare them for college and the job market?
Does it make sense to invest taxpayer dollars into buildings that are, on average, 63 years old?
These are only a few of the wide-ranging questions being considered as the district plans for its present and future facility needs. When the facility master plan is complete, the board of education will decide on next steps and whether or not to move forward with an action plan.
It's important to note the difference between our operating monies and this bond issue hitting the ballot in November 2024. An operating issue and a bond issue serve different financial purposes for a school district:
Operating Issue: This involves funding for the day-to-day operations of the school district, including salaries, supplies, and essential programs. It is typically funded through property taxes and is used for ongoing expenses.
Bond Issue: This raises money specifically for capital projects, such as building construction or major renovations. By law, funds from a bond issue cannot be used for operational expenses. Bond issues are also financed through property taxes and have a longer repayment period, often up to 35 years, to spread the cost of capital improvements across the community.
What is the purpose of developing a facility master plan?
Our schools are a great source of pride in the community. In order to protect our residents’ investment in our schools, from time to time, we analyze the way we do business to ensure we deliver on the quality and efficiency our community expects, including our school buildings.
Do our schools offer "safe, warm and dry" learning environments?
Do our buildings support a modern education that will best prepare them for college and the job market?
Does it make sense to invest taxpayer dollars into buildings that are, on average, 63 years old?
These are only a few of the wide-ranging questions being considered as the district plans for its present and future facility needs. When the facility master plan is complete, the board of education will decide on next steps and whether or not to move forward with an action plan.
Who serves on the facility planning committee?
The volunteers that have agreed to serve on the committee are parents, staff members, community members, and local government officials - a robust cross section of stakeholders that will provide input and feedback.
What are the goals of the committee?
The goal of the facility committee is to develop a district-wide master plan recommendation to present to the Board of Education by evaluating the existing buildings, improvement costs, site viability, educational adequacy, and new construction models.
How is the district enrollment trending?
District enrollment has been steady at around 5,200-5,300 students every year for the last ten years. Current enrollment is 5,000 and projections show that it will continue to be steady for the next ten years. This small decrease in enrollment is due to changes in the open enrollment policy. It is important to note that the enrollment projections completed by FutureThink do not include any students enrolled in Bulldog Online Academy. The district currently has 73 students enrolled in Bulldog Online Academy who are not included in these projections. We are extremely proud of the fact that students and families continue to want to be here as a Bulldog!
We are one of the highest-taxed areas in Summit County! What gives?!
According to the Summit County Auditor, the schools are actually collecting one of the lowest tax millages in Summit County.
Please see the chart and documents below.
Portage Tax Rates (1).pdfSummit Tax Rate 