From: Citizens for Better Schools Committee <info@nrcsbuildingforsuccess.org>
Date: January 26, 2008 1:54:45 PM EST
Subject: North Ridgeville City Schools Bond Issue - March 4, 2008
The Citizens for Better Schools Committee is contacting you regarding
the upcoming Bond Issue #11 on the March 4, 2008 ballot. The committee
would like to confirm (and/or obtain) your support for new and updated
school facilities.
The committee would also like to take this opportunity to update you on
the revised plan for the initial phase of the project.
With the downturn in the economy, the Board of Education determined that a two-phase building program is not realistic at this time. The revised plan will include a new High School, and renovations to the existing high school to re-purpose it as a new middle school. With this plan, the school district will be adding over 208,000 square feet of instructional space to the district. A successful passage of a 4.99 mill levy bond issue will raise $54,250,000 to be used only for school facilities.
The anticipated opening of a new high school will be the 2011-2012 school year. In late November, the Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC) reported that the high school now qualifies for state funding and would need an expansion of over 60,000 square feet to accommodate the expected enrollment for grades 9-12. The previous plan included only a 15,000 square feet expansion. By converting the existing high school to a middle school, the square footage would easily accommodate grades 6-8. With the successful passage of the bond issue, the plan is to spend approximately $3.5 million in renovations to the existing high school to re-purpose as a middle school. The architect is currently working on updated drawings.
What about the elementary buildings? Building new elementary buildings will not help the district decommission the middle school. The middle school is one of the oldest buildings in the district, and it fails to adequately meet the needs of today's adolescent learners. Modular classrooms in 2008 will alleviate overcrowding in grades K-5. The district will continue to work toward planning for new elementary buildings, without relying solely on property owners.
If you are a supporter, the committee is requesting your assistance in promoting the bond issue to family, friends, and neighbors. Attached to this emails an endorsement/volunteer form. If you could, at a minimum, get TEN additional supporters, the bond issue will successfully pass in March. Completed forms can be dropped off at any of the school buildings or to the Board Office located in the North Ridgeville Education Center. Lastly, the Committee would like to invite you to attend the Community Forum on February 7 at 7:00 pm in the Media Center at the North Ridgeville High School for the most up-to-date information on the campaign. Citizens for Better Schools Committee