HILLIARD, Ohio — Voters seemingly passed a levy and bond issue in Hilliard that will help build new elementary schools and provide renovations to school playgrounds and extracurricular areas.
The levy and bond appeared to pass with 53% of Hilliard residents voting in favor of the measure. The district said the results are unofficial but made a Facebook post thanking the community for its support.
The 6.9-mill operating levy will generate funds for the day-to-day management of the district, like staffing, utilities and supplies. It will cost homeowners $242 per $100,000 of home value per year.
The bond issue would authorize the school district to issue $142 million in bonds to construct, renovate and improve facilities. The district says because of the existing debt that’s expiring, the bond could be authorized without collecting additional mileage.
With the bond and levy passing, the district says no staffing cuts will have to be made and it can preserve its current programming.
"We are incredibly grateful to our community for their support," said Superintendent David Stewart. "This outcome ensures we can move forward with critical investments in our schools, staff, and programs, all of which are essential to ensuring that every student has a learning environment that supports 21st-century instruction."
This is the first levy the district asked for since 2016.
The district said it will now be able to move forward with Phase 1 of its Master Facilities Plan, which has an estimated cost of $142 million.
The first phase includes replacing and building three new elementary schools: Brown, Beacon and Ridgewood. There would also be a second preschool added to the new Beacon building.
According to the plan, the district would renovate Brown to become a center for sixth graders, with Tharp remaining a sixth-grade center.
Phase 1 also includes renovating elementary school playgrounds, a weight room at Darby, athletic fields at the middle and high schools and the performing and fine arts spaces. There would also be district-wide safety improvements, including visitor entry security and ADA compliance.
You can learn more about the district’s Master Facilities plan by clicking here.