Bond Issue 11 FAQ

last updated 9/22/23

The information being provided is merely factual, district personnel are not allowed to advocate
for or against the passage of the levy or bond issue during times they are being compensated by
the district.

What are the major projects in the bond issue?

The bond issue would provide funds to construct two new PK-5 elementary schools (Troy and
Eastview sites) and a new 6-8 middle school (Learwood site), as well as renovations to Avon
Lake High School. At the completion of the project, all students PK-8 in the district would be
attending school in a new building.
How much is this going to cost?

● Cost of the project is $170,000,000 equivalent to 7.6 mills

● District has a unique opportunity as it has debt from previous bond issues expiring in 2026
● If the collection of this millage continues it will help offset the cost of the project
● Estimated costs are based on assessed value for tax year 2022 certified by the State of OH
● Assessed value is 35% of the Market Value
● Taxes are collected a year in arrears (current tax year is 2022/collected in 2023)

Based on information obtained from the Lorain County Auditor’s website, homeowners
can calculate the estimated impact the bond issue will have on an individual basis at this
link BOND ISSUE CALCULATOR. Please do not use Zillow, Trulia, etc. to determine the
value of your home for tax purposes. The Lorain County Auditor’s value is what your
taxes are based on and is the only value certified by the State of Ohio.

A 7.6 mill bond issue increases taxes by $266 for each $100,000 of market value. The debt that
is expiring is equivalent to approximately $70 for each $100,000 of market value. The net cost
per $100,000 market value is $196 per year.

How can the tax amount in the Bond Issue Calculator be accurate without knowing what
my home value is for tax year 2023?
The Bond Issue Calculator can generate an estimated cost based on your current
taxable/assessed value for tax year 2022. Per State Law, the District has to establish the ballot
question parameters in the summer months of 2023 for the November election, which are based
on tax year 2022 values that have been certified by the State of Ohio.

What does 7.6 mills mean? Why do I see both 7.6 mills and $170 million listed for the cost
of the bond issue?
Mill is not an abbreviation for million. The property tax rate is measured in mills; a "mill" is one
tenth of a cent and is used in expressing tax rates on a per-dollar basis. This translates to $1 for
each $1,000 of assessed property value. Keep in mind that your "assessed" value is 35% of the
auditor's fair market valuation.

The value of my home increased. Should I expect my property taxes to increase at the
same percent?
No, taxes do not increase in direct proportion with an increase in property value. Ohio Revised
Code prevents an increase in revenue from voted levies due to inflation.

If property values increase will the District collect more than the stated ballot amount?
No, the District’s annual debt service (principal and interest) will be a fixed number, therefore, as
property values increase, less millage will be required to meet the annual debt service
requirement.

Why aren’t we receiving any money from the State of Ohio?

The OFCC (Ohio Facilities Construction Commission) determines eligibility based on a
community’s financial wealth. Unfortunately, we are at #555 out of 609 on the eligibility list.
Although many of the districts ahead of us have started and completed their projects, we are still
a long way away from being able to apply for money. Based on the state’s eligibility criteria, we
would receive about 5% if we ever became eligible.

How long will it take to complete the project?

Architectural work on the project will take 9-12 months from the passing of the bond issue.
Once the architectural plans are completed and approved, the actual construction phase will
take 18-24 months.

Why not simply renovate the buildings?

Based on a 2020 detailed inspection authorized by the Ohio Facilities Construction Committee,
the cost to renovate our existing PK-8 buildings is approximately 65-70% of the cost of new
construction. These costs would simply be a temporary fix for 10-15 years, and the need for
new facilities would continue to exist. In addition, our current setup is not efficient in terms of
operating costs. Fewer facilities would allow us to use our resources more effectively.
Renovation was considered early in the process and appears to be a viable option for the
District’s largest and most expensive building, Avon Lake High School (31% renovate to replace
ratio as of January, 2021).

What are the potential operational cost savings and how were they determined?
The total potential operational savings are between $1.5 and $1.9 million dollars. This includes
savings from utilities, repair costs, operational reconfiguration, and permanent improvement
fund expenses. Savings were calculated based on taking the average actual costs for the
2018-19, 2020-21, and 2021-22 school years. 2019-2020 was not included due to COVID
school closure.

Can bond dollars be used to hire more teachers or increase salaries?

Bond dollars can only be used for the purpose stated in the Ballot issue. Bond money
cannot be used toward operating expenses, such as salaries to hire more teachers or for
curriculum purposes. Rather, bond funds are restricted for use on brick-and-mortar projects
such as constructing, equipping, maintaining and furnishing district facilities. That means that
any money raised through an approved bond issue cannot be used to pay for additional
teachers or to lower class sizes. However, the money will be used to create better learning
environments for students in the district.

What happens if the bond issue does not pass?

If the bond issue does not pass we will still need to fund repairs and maintenance to our aging
facilities. Our current Permanent Improvement (PI) funds total approximately $700,000 and are
utilized for routine maintenance/repairs each year. We do not have enough PI dollars to
accommodate the amount of expenditures needed to upgrade our facilities, so the district will
have to determine how to best approach the facility needs. The most critical capital replacement
needs would still have to be addressed. To pay for this, more money would have to be spent
from the day-to-day operating budget (the part that normally pays for classroom instruction,
teachers, staff and supplies).

Will the district still need to pass an operating levy in the future?
The last operating levy was passed in 2013. It was a ten year operating levy. However, due to
the financial stewardess of the district, we are still operating off of this levy for the next few
years, based on the 5 year forecast. The 5-year forecast shows us ending the 2024-2025
school year with a $6.9M cash balance. Our current thought is we would need to put an
operating levy on the ballot sometime in calendar year 2025. The forecast is updated each
October and May, and we will continue to monitor the forecast.

Will a taxpayer see savings if bonds are refinanced?

Yes, as debt service decreases after a refunding, the District will be able to collect less in taxes
(i.e. lower millage) to make debt service payments.

PROGRAMMING
How will younger students be kept separate from older students?
The new schools will be designed with the “studio” concept. Classes of one grade level will
share common spaces that connect to the individual classrooms, and each grade level will have
their own studio. Students will be scheduled into multi-grade spaces (cafeteria, art, PE, etc.) at
different times.

Will there be Pre-K at both elementary buildings?

Our current plan is to offer similar programming at both elementary buildings.

Will there be new programs available for students in new facilities?

Yes, the design of the new facilities will allow us the flexibility to offer additional STEAM
programs, as well as other elective classes. We will also be able to utilize our existing staff
more efficiently to enhance services for gifted and special education students.
Will community groups have access to the new facilities?
Yes, we will continue to allow community groups access to our school facilities. This includes
the use of fields and gyms, as well as the new community space planned at the high school.

Will 5th grade students have band and orchestra in the elementary schools?
Yes, we will continue to offer band and orchestra classes in 5th grade.

What safety measures will be considered in the new facilities?

Modern facilities design naturally limits public access to buildings (secure “airlock” design near
offices, limited entry doors, etc.) in a way that our current entrances do not because they were
built in a different era. Classroom-level security enhancements come with new buildings.

LOCATIONS/CONFIGURATIONS
How did you decide on the number of schools and locations?
The Avon Lake City Schools Facilities Committee, made up of parents, community members,
staff members, district administrators, and representatives from the board of education looked at
many different scenarios. After looking at the pros and cons of the different scenarios, the
current proposal best addressed the needs related to costs, educational programming,
neighborhood schools, land availability, infrastructure, transportation and grade level
configurations.

What will happen to the schools during construction?

We will maintain all seven schools during construction of the new facilities. There may be some
impact to traffic/fields at the sites of new construction, but we will work with the community to
address any of these temporary issues.

What will happen to the existing properties the district doesn’t use for new schools?
Part of the scope of the projects is to remove all the existing PK-8 buildings once we transition
into new facilities. At Erieview, we plan to maintain the land once the building is removed for
future expansion of athletic fields or other usage as determined. We are exploring the possibility
of working out an arrangement with the city for use of the Redwood facility for a senior center,
city recreation programs and eagle watchers. The other properties would be sold and the
money raised would be dedicated to facilities projects.

How will increased traffic around the school sites be handled?

The school district has been in discussions with the City of Avon Lake regarding this issue. If
the bond issue passes, the city plans to widen Lear Road to include a turning lane at both
school sites on Lear Road. The city has already started working on improvements to address
traffic flow at the intersection of Lear and Walker Roads. At the Troy site, the city has indicated
that they will work with the district to create a third in/out off Redwood Boulevard to reduce traffic
on Belmar.

When were the current schools built?

Avon Lake High School--1926
Eastview Elementary--1951
Erieview Elementary--1950
Learwood Middle School--1959
Redwood Elementary--1961
Troy Intermediate--1969
Westview Elementary--1955

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
What will the ballot language look like?
AFFIRMATIVE VOTE IS NECESSARY FOR PASSAGE
Shall bonds be issued by the Avon Lake City School District for the purpose of
constructing, furnishing, and equipping two new PK-5 elementary schools and one new
6-8 middle school, with related site improvements and appurtenances thereto;
renovang, repairing, furnishing, equipping, and constructing additions and
improvements to Avon Lake High School, with related site improvements and
appurtenances thereto; improving, renovang, furnishing, and equipping existing
facilities or constructing, furnishing, and equipping new facilities for school district
purposes; and replacing existing equipment and constructing various permanent
improvements school district-wide in the principal amount of $170,000,000, to be repaid
annually over a maximum period of 37 years, and an annual levy of property taxes be
made outside the ten-mill limitation, estimated by the county auditor to average over the
repayment period of the bond issue 7.602324 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which
amounts to $266 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value,
commencing in 2023, first due in calendar year 2024, to pay the annual debt charges on
the bonds, and to pay debt charges on any notes issued in anticipation of those bonds?

FOR THE BOND ISSUE

AGAINST THE BOND ISSUE

What if I have a question or feedback about the project?

You can send an email to feedback@avonlakecityschools.org and your question or feedback will
be addressed by the appropriate person.