Building a Brighter Future

Message Document

The Bedford City School District has aging facilities.

• The oldest building is 114 years old; the newest is 58 years old. The average age is 74 years.
• A state facilities study estimates $174 million in basic repair and maintenance costs in the next 10 years – just to keep the doors open. The same study found that bringing the existing buildings up-to-date would cost $224 million.
• Many neighboring districts have or are currently addressing their facilities.

The District is currently eligible for up to 21% in State Funding for a Master Facilities Plan. This is a limited-time opportunity.

The Building a Brighter Future Community Committee of more than 50 residents, parents, staff, and business people studied potential grade-level and building configurations to recommend a course of action to the Board of Education.

The Committee recommended a Master Facilities Plan:

• A new high school with expanded career-technical education opportunities and space;
• A new 6 – 8 grade school on the former Chanel site;
• A new pre-kindergarten – 2nd grade school with expanded preschool opportunities on the Heskett site; and
• A repurposed 3 – 5 school at Heskett.

This plan focuses on safety, state-of-the-art education, and expansion of both Career Tech and Pre-K to provide broader opportunities for our children.

• Expanding Career Tech means our students can graduate with critical skills for their futures – without the expensive cost of college
• Career Tech exposes students to career options in a meaningful way
• Expanding Pre-K means our future students are prepared for kindergarten
• The District currently has a wait list for Pre-K and turns some families away
• With new buildings, our children will be protected with the latest safety tools and tactics

The Board of Education voted to place a 9.9 mill levy on the November 7 ballot to fund our Master Facilities Plan.

• The issue would generate $161M and cost homeowners $28 per month - less than $1 per day per $100,000 in home valuation.
• Passage of the bond issue means our district is eligible for 21% state ELPP funding.

Our District is fiscally responsible.

• Fewer buildings mean better educational opportunities through economies of scale, and lower ongoing operating costs.
• The District has not been on the ballot in nearly a decade, stretching resources to maximize value for our taxpayers.

The District faces a choice: either continue repairing costly aging buildings, or implement the master facilities plan for new, educationally appropriate, buildings. Studies show that the quality of schools impacts the quality of the whole community. The Building a Brighter Future plan will affect everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Building a Brighter Future Plan and Why is it Needed?
• BCSD has aging facilities. The oldest building is 114 years old; the newest is 58 years old. The average age is 74 years.
• A state facilities study estimates $174 million in basic repair and maintenance costs in the next 10 years – just to keep the doors open. The same study found that to bring the existing buildings up-to-
date would cost $224 million.

The Plan includes:
• A new high school with expanded career-technical education opportunities and space;
• A new 6 – 8 grade school on the former Chanel site;
• A new pre-kindergarten – 2nd grade school with expanded preschool opportunities on the Heskett site; and
• A repurposed 3 – 5 school at Heskett.

How was Plan Created?
• The plan is the result of a community-driven process that included over 50 residents, parents, staff, and business people who studied potential grade-level and building configurations, educational needs, and financial options.
• The recommendation was then analyzed and ultimately adopted by the Board of Education.

Will the State of Ohio Provide any Funding?
• The District is participating in the ELPP program through the state and that means the District is currently eligible for up to 21% in State Funding for a Master Facilities Plan.
• This is a limited-time opportunity, so the district must act soon.

What will the Plan mean for the District?
• This plan will ensure that facilities are safe, state-of-the-art, and will allow expansion of both Career Tech and Pre-K to provide broader opportunities for our children.
• Expanding Career Tech means our students can graduate with critical skills for their futures–without the expensive cost of college
• Career Tech exposes students to career options in a meaningful way
• Expanding Pre-K means our future students are prepared for kindergarten
• The District currently has a wait list for Pre-K and turns some families away
• Building new buildings means our kids will be protected with the latest safety tools and tactics

How much will the plan cost?
• The Board of Education voted to place a 9.9 mill levy on the November 7 ballot to fund our master
facilities plan.
• The issue would generate $161M and cost homeowners $28 per month – less than $1 per day per
$100,000 in home valuation.
• Passage of the bond issue means our district is eligible for 21% state funding.

What are the Financial Impacts of the Plan?
• Our district is fiscally responsible, and this plan makes financial sense.
• Fewer buildings mean better educational opportunities through economies of scale, and lower ongoing operating costs.
• A state facilities study estimates $174 million in basic repair and maintenance costs in the next 10 years – just to keep the doors open. The same study found that to bring the existing buildings up-to-
date would cost $224 million.

When was the last time the District asked Taxpayers for funding?
• The District has not been on the ballot since 2014, nearly a decade, stretching resources to maximize value for our taxpayers.