North Ridgeville City Schools Issues 16 & 17 Frequently Asked Questions

The North Ridgeville City Schools has a substitute issue and a bond issue on the November 5, 2019 ballot. Below are frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the ballot issues. Click here to view a PDF version.

 1. What is on the November 5 ballot for North Ridgeville City Schools?

There will be two issues on the ballot this November. The first is a substitute issue (Issue 17) which will combine four existing levies into one. This issue will not increase taxes but it does account for nearly 40 percent of our operating budget and will help us maintain high quality academics, educators, and programs to prepare our students for the future. The other issue is a bond issue (Issue 16) which will provide the funds to build a much needed elementary school and a high school. The plan is to build a new 9-12 high school building with a performing arts center and a new K-3 elementary school building. The North Ridgeville Academic Center will become a 4-8 th grade building and the Early Childhood Learning Community would be for Pre-K. This will alleviate the immediate overcrowding situation in all of our buildings, aside from the new North Ridgeville Academic Center, which still has room for growth. The new buildings will include updated learning environments, modern safety and security systems, ADA accessibility, classrooms large enough and configured properly for today’s education, up-to-date technology to better meet students’ needs and space to accommodate future growth.

2. Why does North Ridgeville City Schools need a bond issue for new school buildings?

We have grown by over 500 students over the last decade so we are over capacity in Liberty Elementary and the high school. Further, the State of Ohio reviewed our buildings and found they do not meet today’s standards for education. Our high school is not ADA accessible and students are forced to learn in converted closets and hallways. The same holds true in our elementary school which does not have dedicated gym or cafeteria space. Meanwhile, we are making expensive repairs to temporarily address the needs of these older buildings which drain dollars from education and is not a cost effective use of funds. The State of Ohio independently determined that it will cost nearly as much money to repair, maintain and renovate the schools as it would to build new facilities.

3. Who made the decision to go on the ballot?

The Board of Education voted to place these two separate issues on the November 5, 2019 ballot. The bond issue was recommended after a Facilities Planning Committee made up of residents, city officials, educators and support staff studied our buildings for 18 months and helped create this cost-effective solution. The State of Ohio also reviewed our buildings and determined they do not meet today’s educational standards.

The substitute levy combines four existing operating levies due to expire into one levy and does not raise taxes. This substitute levy is needed because of the drastic enrollment growth in our District and because our revenues are not keeping up with either that growth or educational needs. With this substitute issue, we will be able to collect on the community’s growth and terminate four levies which will mean we won’t have to go to the voters so often asking for more money.

4. How much will these issues cost taxpayers?

The substitute issue is not a tax increase, and accounts for nearly 40 percent of the District’s operating budget. The bond issue will cost about $22 per month per $100,000 of home value. That money will be used for the construction of a new high school and elementary school.

5. Is the State contributing anything to the cost of building new schools?

The State of Ohio is paying for 24 percent of the project, about $23 million dollars of the construction cost. Because of the rapid growth in our community, the state share has gone up from 17 percent, when the North Ridgeville Academic Center was completed in 2017, to 24 percent.

6. Why can’t the District just repair or renovate the schools?

North Ridgeville is the third fastest growing district in the state. We have grown by over 500 students just over the last decade. Our high school and elementary school buildings do not have the capacity to handle these increasing numbers which are projected to grow even more. Further, the buildings are beyond repair and no longer meet the standards required for today’s education. The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) thoroughly reviewed our buildings and independently determined the cost just to renovate our buildings to minimum standards would be nearly equal to the cost of building new schools. They recommend replacement as it is more fiscally responsible.

7. How did the buildings get so bad? Did the District ignore repairs?

No, in fact, the opposite is true. Our maintenance staff continues to do their best to keep our schools safe and in the best shape possible. This includes spending thousands of dollars each year on basic and Band-Aid repairs to expensive, outdated systems that no longer function efficiently. However, we have reached the point where repairs are no longer enough. Our high school and elementary school is not ADA accessible and is over capacity. Students are forced to try and learn in converted closets and hallways. Continuing to spend money on repairs and makeshift modifications is not the best use of District dollars. The most cost efficient, fiscally responsible action is to build a new high school and elementary school.

8. What will happen to the learners in the STEM program at Ranger High-Tech Academy?

The District is carefully evaluating a number of options for Ranger High-Tech Academy, including providing separate, dedicated space within one of the newly constructed buildings or the reconfigured Academic Center. What we are sure of at this point, is that RHTA cannot continue in its current location due to the extensive renovation needs of the building along with the fact that the building will be at full capacity in the very near future. RHTA is a source of pride in the District and we are committed to maintaining RHTA and its programming once new facilities are constructed. It is our priority to ensure that RHTA continues to thrive and once the bond issue passes, we will work with architects and staff to provide an upgraded space for our RHTA learners.

9. Why do we need to have both issues at the same time?

The District wants to be as fiscally efficient as possible. Combining four existing levies into one substitute issue will not increase taxes, and it will allow us to benefit from the community’s population growth and give us the funds needed to keep up with our academic needs and increasing student population. We need to act as soon as possible on our buildings not only because we are beyond capacity when it comes to student population but also because we are spending money on expensive repairs and configurations that are not keeping up with today’s education. Further, we need to move now to take advantage of the state contribution to the construction which will account for 24 percent of the cost.

10. What happens if one or both of these issues fails?

The District will continue to feel the strain of educational and financial challenges caused by the increasing number of students and inefficient buildings. We will likely see trailers and circumstances where even more students will be forced to learn in spaces that are not meant for education. Our maintenance staff works hard to make emergency repairs to our building systems and the District wants to be fiscally responsible with its dollars. Currently, we are spending thousands of dollars every year which could be spent elsewhere on education and instructional resources. The substitute and bond issues are the most cost-effective solutions to address our educational needs.

11. Where will the schools be built and when?

The schools would be built near the current high school and elementary school campuses. Pending voter approval of the bond issue on November 5, 2019, the District would select an architect and construction management service provider, which would work with the District, including community input, on design and to provide a timeline of when the buildings would be completed. The buildings will be located on land we already own. TDA, architects very experienced in school design, reviewed our land and facility needs and created a “fit plan” which was presented to the public on June 4. The new buildings will be able to be constructed on our existing sites.

12. What is the cost of the plan and how was it determined?

The total cost of the plan would be approximately $136,565,000. Under the Ohio Expedited Local Partnership Program, once the project is complete, the state will pay for approximately 24 percent of the co-funded cost of the project. The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission works with schools all over the state and created a “design manual” that establishes costs per square foot based on student enrollment. We then worked with our pre-bond architect to consult on the project and create a cost estimate based on our specific needs.

13. What safeguards are in place to ensure the quality and costs of construction are maintained?

Public school districts must adhere to specific rules and regulations regarding construction projects. The District is committed to being as cost efficient as possible. We will conduct a thorough and value-based search to identify the best architect and the most capable construction management service providers. The construction costs are just estimates and each major component of the construction project will be competitively bid to ensure the District is getting the best pricing.

14. What is the difference between an operating issue and a bond issue?

Money from an operating issue is used for the operating of the school district including supplies and equipment, essential school programs, teaching staff and services. A bond issue raises money that, by law, can only be used for capital costs such as building construction.

15. Why does there need to be an operating levy on the ballot? If North Ridgeville is building new developments, isn’t the District gaining more revenue for operating purposes?

The city of North Ridgeville is expanding rapidly with the building of new developments. Because of House Bill 920, the District does not receive additional funds despite the growth of North Ridgeville. With the substitute levy, the District combines four expiring levies, which allows us to capture the growth of the city, leading to additional revenue for the District. The substitute levy accounts for 40% of the operating budget and will not raise taxes.

16. Is there a model of the facilities and when would they be released?

An architect will be engaged after a bond issue passes. Renderings cost between 8-9% of the total cost of construction and it would not be economically responsible to pay for renderings before the funds are there. This is a typical process for school districts.

17. When are these issues on the ballot?

Both issues are on the November 5, 2019 ballot. On Election Day. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Early voting in-person and by mail begins on Tuesday, October 8, 2019.

18. How do I register to vote?

Monday, October 7 is the deadline to register to vote and be eligible to vote in the November election. You can register to vote or check your registration status at www.myohiovote.com. You can also register to vote online: https://olvr.sos.state.oh.us/IdentificationInformation or in person at the Lorain County Board of Elections, 1985 N Ridge Rd. Lorain, OH 44055.