LEWIS CENTER, Ohio — Officials at Olentangy Schools will "take a closer look" at its resources after voters on Tuesday struck down a levy focused on addressing the district's projected growth.
The proposed levy would have helped the district expand by building new schools to accommodate more students.
In a statement released Wednesday, leaders said they are looking at priorities to meet the needs of the growing student population.
"There are many questions on how this decision impacts current attendance boundaries, the construction and opening of new schools, and the timing of a future levy and bond ask to our Delaware County community," the statement read in part.
The 4.25 mill levy would have authorized the school board up to $350 million in bonds to address enrollment growth, according to the district. The money from the bonds would have allowed the district to build five schools to accommodate 5,000 additional students that are expected to enroll in the next 10 years.
Olentangy Schools — where 23,981 students are currently enrolled — has one preschool, 16 elementary schools, six middle schools and four high schools.
Previously, the district said if the levy failed then modular classes may be needed at up to nine elementary schools by the end of the 2026-27 school year. Additionally, multiple middle schools and high schools would be redistricted to balance overwhelming.
Had the levy passed, it would have cost homeowners $148.75 annually for each $100,000 of their home's appraised value.
You can read the full statement from the school district.
"We appreciate our One Olentangy’s continued partnership in Olentangy Schools’ mission to facilitate maximum learning for every student. The combined 4.25-mil levy was the district’s lowest operational ask of this community in 30 years, and we are all naturally disappointed the ballot issue did not receive enough voter support.
There are many questions on how this decision impacts current attendance boundaries, the construction and opening of new schools, and the timing of a future levy and bond ask to our Delaware County community. We do not have all those answers yet. We will take a closer look at resource alignment and our priorities as we work to meet the needs of an ever-growing student population."