Northwood school levy fails in new vote count

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NORTHWOOD – School officials are seeking
input from community members for what to do with aging facilities.The district’s combined bond issue and
income tax to fund a new school building was defeated in November by two votes.On election night the
combined 0.25-percent earned income tax and a 4.9-mill property tax failed by five votes, 699 against the
taxes and 694 in favor.But the count of provisional ballots changed the total to 702 against and 700 in
favor and the recount maintained those totals.The taxes would have paid for a new 130,000-square-foot school
that would have opened in 2016.District Superintendent Greg Clark is asking community members to attend the
board of education meeting Tuesday to discuss options.The meeting starts at 6 p.m. and Clark expects the
facilities discussion to start at 7. The meeting will be held in the high school auditorium.He said the
board will recap the plan that failed and ask whether the district should try that plan again or change
it.He said while voters did not support the plan, the need for new facilities is still there.If the district
decides to change the plan, it will need approval from the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission, which is
helping fund construction.OSFC is prepared to spend $11.55 million for the new $33.02 million school, with
Northwood paying the $21.46 million balance.The plan called for Olney Elementary, Lark Elementary and
Northwood Elementary to be torn down. The high school would be partially torn down with the common spaces,
including the gymnasium and auditorium, maintained for continued community and student use.The new school
would be built on the Lemoyne Road campus.The district’s school buildings are between 50 and 75 years
old.Clark called the elections results a great civics lesson."Every vote counts," he stated.

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