Monday, October 19, 1998
Tiffin schools take fourth shot at levy
By Cathy Willoughby
Staff Writer
Although voters may perceive it as their chance to vote against taxes, Tiffin City School officials are hopeful that the results of the November 3 bond issue reflect a desire to maintain the quality of the system's facilities.
For the fourth time, a levy for the renovation and repair of the district's ten buildings will go before the voters. The last attempt was for a .98 bond levy during the May primary election. This time, a 1.1 mill levy is sought, for the period of 27 years.
''It is important for the public to know that a bond issue differs from a general operating levy,'' Superintendent Denise Callihan stated. ''It can't be used for anything but the improvement and upkeep of buildings.''
The school buildings range in age from 38 years for Columnian High School, to 105 yearsfor the junior high building. Some of the improvements planed are window replacements at the middle school, the junior high, Krout and Washington Elementaries; replace two boilers and related equipment at the middle school; replace seating and painting the interior of the auditorium at the junior high school; updating the electrical entrance panel at Bloomville Elementary and the installation of elevators at the middle school and junior high to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Taxes are to be paid on the assessed value of a homeowner's property, which is 35 percent of the appraised value. The average home is valued at $70,000; costing the taxpayer $26.95 annually.
Residents requesting more information on the bond issue can call the school's Wizard Line at 448-5233, which will direct them to the access code, to receive a recorded message.
''It is critical that we take a look at our facilities and the age of our facilities,'' she added. ''Everyone should understand that upkeep is very important to the preservation of our buildings. And that the state did not come through with a huge amount of money for school facilities.''
Board president Christopher English agreed that even though it may not be a popular decision to make, all board members knew that sometimes unpopular decisions have to be made that are in the best interest of the district.
''I continually hear that we should receive help from the state,'' he said. ''But we are in the middle; any money coming from the state will not spread over the 600 school districts there are. And we are not considered the poorest of the poor districts. If we are going to keep our buildings up, it is going to have to come from the local level.''
''There are things that really need to be done or our facilities will deteriorate,'' board member Bob Joyce said.''And there's the ADA act, with things that legally we have to address.''
Joyce also stated that with many of the improvements planned, such as the replacement of windows, the district will recoup the costs in saved heating costs in the long-run. ''In the short term, it will be much better for the youngsters to not be shivering, and ultimately we will save heating costs,'' he said.
''The district is only putting on what is pressing,'' Joyce explained. '' It's approximately the cost of two CD's at our house. I know that it means additional money, but what will it do for our community.''
''We are trying to make it as minimal of an increase as we can, but if we do not do regular maintenance, and attend to some of these issues, it's going to get worse. And it will be more money. It is going to cost more this year than it would have last year, just due to increased construction costs.''