The Clark-Shawnee, Ohio, Local School Board of Education likely will go back to voters for the third time in a year seeking to build a new elementary school and renovate its high school.
Board members gathered for a special meeting Thursday morning and passed a resolution to put aside about $37,000 to go back on the ballot in August.
The cost of going back on the ballot will likely be closer to $15,000, school officials said. The vote Thursday was the first step to get on the August ballot. Board members will have to to take another vote before May 10 to finalize putting the issue before voters.
The bond issue has been set for 5.3 mills for 37 years, which would cost the owner of $100,000 home more than $15 a month.
"One of the comments in the paper was that we need to wait a year, but the public needs to understand this money from the state is gone in August," school board President David Dehart said. "We can't wait."
The total cost of the plan to renovate Shawnee High School and build a new elementary school across the street is $52.8 million. The three existing primary schools -- Reid, Possum and Rockway -- would close under the plan.
The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission has offered to pay 30 percent of the cost if residents approve a bond issue for the rest. Voters have turned down the $37 million bond issue twice -- in November by 174 votes and on Tuesday by 113 votes.
"This is our last shot at the state's 30 percent co-funding," Assistant Superintendent Brian Kuhn said. "It is guaranteed right now. After the window closes, it will no longer be that way. We will have to pass the issue first, and then wait to see if we get the money."
Some residents who don't support the bond issue have said the community can't afford to pay higher taxes. The Rockway area has been the toughest for the board to win support. The bond issue failed at that precinct by more than the difference of the election.
The board president noted in November more than 3,000 residents supported the plan -- which is more than the total number of votes cast in Tuesday's election.
"There is support for our plan but we need voters to come out and support us because this is a real need for our students and our community," Dehart said.
He said the money spent on going back on the ballot is little compared to other expenses the school district has to pay.
"If you look at $15,000 over the $15 million from the state, it's nothing," Dehart said. "We don't have a choice. I am sure there will be some that criticize us but when you look at losing $15 million, you can't risk that."
Not passing the bond issue and losing the money designated by the state is a worst case scenario because of the need for a new building, Dehart said.
The board discussed meeting again Monday, but a time hadn't been set.
