Wellington asks for $26.7M for new school
Cindy Leise | The Chronicle-Telegram
WELLINGTON — The Wellington School Board voted unanimously Tuesday night to ask voters to approve a $26.7 million bond issue to build a new school for kindergarten through grade 12.
The millage of the 27-year bond issue will be set by the Lorain County Auditor but it will likely be about 8.9 mills, Suzanne Wilson, schools treasurer, said.
The biggest challenge will be to get out the message that the levy will only be about 5 additional mills, Sally Stewart, school board vice president, said after the meeting.
A 3.94-mill permanent improvement levy expires in December and the board would not have to seek a renewal if voters decide they want to build a new school, she said.
The sad thing is that the economy has taken a dip just when the district got word it would get help replacing its deteriorating schools from the Ohio School Facilities Commission, Stewart said.
If voters don’t pass a levy to pay the local share within a year, “we lose the money,” Stewart said. “All our schools need updating and we’d have to do it ourselves.”
She said she hopes residents decide they can’t pass up the offer of 46 percent state funding.
“I’d like to finance my house that way, wouldn’t you?” she asked.
Two weeks ago, the school board voted to add two extras to the project: an auditorium and stadium improvements. The board has not yet decided whether to improve the current stadium or build a new one at the site of the proposed new school.
Tuesday’s meeting was the last for retiring Superintendent Victor Cardenzana, who offered the incoming superintendent, Francis R. Scruci, help in preparing for the proposed building project.
After the meeting, Scruci, who last served as principal of Bellevue High School, said he wants to get as much public input as possible when planning for the new school and getting a levy passed.
Scruci said he and his wife, Cynthia, plan to move soon to a home in Parkside Reserves in the village.
Linda Repko and Karen Conley, co-presidents of the Wellington Education Association, said the teachers’ union will do what it can to help pass a levy, especially with Scruci at the helm. The union often crossed swords with Cardenzana, who served three years.
Repko called Scruci “a very open gentleman who’s quick to solve problems.”
Contact Cindy Leise at 653-6250 or cleise@chroniclet.com.
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Filed by Cindy Leise | The Chronicle-Telegram July 16th, 2008 in Top Stories. Popularity: 4% |
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Comments
Comment from
Renovate Wellington Schools
July 16, 2008, 6:29 am
Building a new school is NOT the only option!
With comprehensive renovation, Wellington’s existing schools can be state-of-the-art educational facilities equal to, if not better than, new facilities.
To see pictures of successfully renovated schools and for more information, please visit: http://renovateourschools.dnsalias.com
For our children, for our community, for our future.
Comment from
Jenn
July 16, 2008, 11:24 am
They’re combining a renewal with an increase? Probably not the brightest of ideas. I think renewals are easier to pass on their own….
Comment from
scorpio
July 16, 2008, 6:07 pm
I know that Wellington needs new schools. I cannot see having a new stadium and a auditorioum. They will have to get by with what tehy have. Too many people in the village is on a fixed income and don’t appreciate the tax hike. I for one would have like to see the survey that they supposedly sent out. I would have thought they would sent out a survey to everyone in the village.
Comment from
MM
July 17, 2008, 8:59 am
I received one of the surveys. I filled it out and sent it back. The survey gave 4 options…I beleive. Once of them being to renovate the current schools. That one was THE MOST EXPENSIVE to do and THE MOST EXPENSIVE as far as yearly energy costs….it makes no sence what so ever to renovate. The next best option was to build one new school on the high school property. It was the most cost effective all the way around. They would get rid of the current high school and middle school and keep Westwood for board staff and other offices. I do agree we DONT need the extra cost of a new auditorium and field….it is going to cost enough as it is. I dont want my taxes to go up any higher as it is either, the last levys that passed drove my mortgage up so high I can barely make the payment. I am still undecided about what my vote will be. But honestly I wouldnt be telling you this if it werent true….the best plan is to rebuild….it will cost us less….millions less.
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