CODE RED

 

What will it take to build a new high school in Dover, Ohio? 

Perhaps a better questions is, "Why?" and even more so, "Why now?"  The aim of the Dover City School administration has been to answer those and other questions.

Our School Our Choice

Dover Code Red supports the committee that has organized the effort to pass a bond issue on November's ballot that will allow us to build a new Dover High School.

If you were not able to attend an information session, the brochure can be downloaded here.  In addition a copy of the presentation can be obtained here.   Adobe Reader will be required to read this report. You can download it from here. The presentation will need Microsoft PowerPoint viewer available here. 

If you wish to add you support to this effort please visit the Get Involved page to sign up!

It is time Dover...Our School Our Choice. 

"Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has." ~Margaret Mead   

Find below questions and answers from the Dover City Schools District news.

Why build new vs. renovate and repair the current building? 

We have all been told that the current building is "like a fort", but like beauty it is only skin deep.  Renovation cost not including loss of parts of the facility to allow for safe construction and proper abatement of hazardous material are nearly as costly as replacement.  See the report of projected renovation cost for Dover High School.  Adobe Reader will be required to read this report. You can download it from here.   

What did the OSFC discover during their inspection of Dover High School?

 You can read the report from their visit here.  Adobe Reader will be required to read this report. You can download it from here.

How long will it take before a new high school for Dover to be completed?

 View the projected timeline here.  Adobe Reader will be required to read this report. You can download it from here.

Why right now?

The Board of Education has spent two years gathering information and feedback from “local experts” on what should be done about the school district’s facilities. By consensus, the high school was determined to be the most problematic building in the district. At that time, Dover was still several years out from receiving any state money through the Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC), and there was no guarantee that state funds would be there when – and if – Dover’s turn came.

In the fall of 2010, the Dover City School District was notified that – due to the age of Dover High School – it qualified for the OSFC’s Exceptional Needs Program. The Exceptional Needs Program is designed to move buildings with health and safety concerns to the top of the funding list. The district applied, was assessed, and was designated as the building with greatest need in the State of Ohio, which ensured co-funding for a new high school during the 2011-12 school years. This funding source requires a local match of 72%. The Dover Community has one year to approve this bond issue. To those who have witnessed the condition of the present high school, it is not a question of if something needs done, but when.

There is a cost to delaying new construction. According to the OSFC, which has built hundreds of high schools in the last 15 years, construction costs go up an average of 3% each year. Waiting an additional 10 years could add up to 30% to the cost – with no guarantee of any help from the state at a later date. This could potentially add over $20 million to the project in 10 years. Even more, during today’s economic and building climate, interest rates are low and contractor’s bids have been coming in even lower than anticipated.

But why build new?

Dover High School was originally built in 1915, with additions built in 1942 and 1962. The OSFC is willing to co-fund a new building as they have determined that it would cost $30 million to renovate the present high school which is 71% of the cost of a new high school.

Renovation of the high school would require bringing the entire building up to the present building codes (i.e. fire suppression systems, air conditioning, new electrical and plumbing systems, etc.). Based upon the cost of doing this in a building this size and of this age, the OSFC had determined that it is not cost effective to renovate our current site and would not provide any funds for renovating the current high school. However, the OSFC is guaranteeing over $9 million dollars now for a new Dover High School.

And why there?

The Dover City School District identified 17 parcels of land within the school district boundaries. A local realtor was asked to contact those land owners and tell them a “non-profit organization” was looking for land for construction. Many parcels were not for sale, and some were eliminated because of building suitability. Ultimately, the Board narrowed the options down to four sites.

Our architects reviewed the sites and determined this piece of land, previously the Streb Farm, in north Dover was, by far, the best site. The acreage has safe access, good drainage patterns, is flat and unobstructed, which saves money on site prep, and provides options for future growth if needed. An environmental study has been done; it is not in a flood plain.

This district encompasses 34 square miles, and this site is within the Dover City Limits. While bus routes can change annually due to student need, a study shows the new site may add one additional bus route to the current eleven routes.

The district is still negotiating with the landowners to come to a mutually agreeable price. The district may consider eminent domain if the owners want more for the land than its current value. This process is to protect taxpayers by allowing a local court to decide the  value of the land, when a willing buyer and willing seller cannot agree on a fair price.

What are some of the benefits?

Educationally … natural light, good air quality, proper acoustics, and comfortable indoor temperatures impact student learning. OSFC buildings are built to be technologically and flexibly designed to advance students in today’s competitive, global marketplace.

To the Dover Community … a new high school, visible from I-77, could help stimulate growth in the City. Every potential business and property owner wanting to locate in this area asks about the city’s educational facilities. Having a state-of-the-art facility can attract young families and communicate Dover’s value and support of education. Income tax revenue, both during and after construction, will be paid to the City of Dover.

What will happen to the present high school?

The Board of Education would not be able to afford two school buildings of this size. The utility costs in the high school alone are approximately $250,000 annually. The OSFC will estimate the cost of operating the new building once the Board authorizes the size of the new high school. A half-mill maintenance levy is required for all OSFC projects and is included in the bond issuance. The Building Advisory Committee, comprised of many community members, is helping to design the new building, and can incorporate architectural elements of the current high school into the new building.

Why should we support this effort?

The Dover School Board and Administration feel that taking care of district facilities is crucial to the success of student learning and protects a valuable community asset. In reality, Dover’s state percentage share is less than other area school districts, but the community must understand that property values are the driving force behind the calculation of our share of the project.

Dover has an “Excellent” school district academically, and the time is now to provide an “Excellent” facility also. We have been designated a “low cost, high performing school district” and used as an example for other districts across Ohio. Dover taxpayers get a high return on dollars invested in local education.

How much will it cost me?

 

How soon will the district be back for more operating money?

Unlike other taxes, property taxes for schools do not index with inflation. As costs rise, additional taxes can only be raised at the ballot box.  For instance, if we pass an issue that raises $200 per year on a property in 2012, it stays at $200 for the length of the issue.

Since Dover is a locally-funded school district (higher property values = less state aid), this district will be on the ballot more often than state-funded districts. The last operating levy was passed in 2008 and expected to tide the district over for five years (2013). The district has purposefully been reducing whenever and wherever possible and is trying to stretch the next levy beyond 2013.

Dover’s five year forecast is impacted by the State’s budgets, so revenue estimates are based on history. The district’s estimate barring drastic cuts, is that we will be able to stay away from taxpayers for seven years instead of five.