New Mad River levy on May ballot would replace expired levy

Yahoo

13-02-2025

RIVERSIDE, Ohio (WDTN) — Riverside voters will see a new levy on the ballot this May, in support of the Mad River Local School District.
Mad River Schools are putting up a new levy on the ballot after voters turned down the option in November. The Permanent Improvement Levy of 2.9 mills would be used to repair and maintain buildings and equipment.
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The district says this would replace the previous bond levy that went into effect in 2001 and allowed the construction of new school buildings. 2024 was the last year of payments for those bonds, meaning taxpayers are currently paying less.
Officials with the district say that those new buildings in 2001 are now requiring some upkeep.
'While it is great that the bonds were paid off this past year, the district is experiencing large repair and maintenance costs as the age of the building and things that came with the new buildings begin to wear out,' said Jennifer Alexander, with Mad River Local Schools.
Alexander says there are several items that need replacing, including the roof on Stebbins High School, air conditioning at Spinning Hills and four elementary buildings all need repairs to the roofing.
A Permanent Improvement Levy was previously in place, but was dropped when the Bond Levy began in 2001. Now that the Bond Levy is expired, the district is asking residents to pass this new levy to maintain the buildings they worked hard to establish.
'Our school buildings are pillars of the community and we want to make sure they are safe, well-maintained, and last as long as possible,' said Alexander.
Permanent Improvement Levy funds can only be spent on capital improvement and equipment — funds cannot be spent on salaries or other operating expenses.
While it is great that the bonds were paid off this past year, the district is experiencing large repair and maintenance costs as the age of the building and things that came with the new buildings begin to wear out. For example, a new roof for Stebbins High School costs $1.7 million. An air conditioner chiller at Spinning Hills will cost $250,000. The four elementary buildings need new shingles for the roof at a cost of $82,000 each.
Residents of the district will be able to vote on the levy in the upcoming ballot on May 6, 2025.
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