Questions and Answers

This November, UA voters decide whether to rebuild and renovate Hastings Middle School, Jones Middle School, and Burbank Early Childhood School. The measure combines a bond issue, which funds construction, and an operating levy, which funds day-to-day district operations.

These three schools are the final phase of the Master Facilities Plan UA voters approved in 2017. The high school and all five elementary schools have already been rebuilt or renovated under that plan. Hastings, Jones, and Burbank are next, and waiting only increases what it will cost to finish the job.

To fund the construction at Hastings, Jones, and Burbank, the District is asking voters to approve a $273.5 million bond issue, which would result in an estimated 2.25 mill increase to the current bond tax rate. The bond issue would be combined with an operating levy of 4.9 mills. If approved, this would increase the property tax of a $500,000 home (as valued by the county auditor) by approximately $1,250.

Rather than asking voters to evaluate two separate ballot measures with separate tax impacts, the District is presenting a comprehensive proposal with one estimated tax impact. This approach provides taxpayers with a clearer understanding of the District’s overall plan and its estimated cost.

An operating levy pays for the everyday expenses of running the schools, like salaries and buses. It is ongoing tax revenue, not borrowed money, and often lasts a set number of years, sometimes continuing. It is not used to build new schools. A bond issue pays for new buildings or major improvements to existing buildings. The District borrows the money and repays it over time with interest, with repayment spread over many years. It is not used for things like salaries and buses.

School buildings are long-term assets that serve students and the community for decades. Because of their long useful life, the District’s plan uses bond financing to fund major facility improvements.

This approach:

• Spreads costs over time
• Aligns repayment with the useful life of the improvements
• Preserves operating funds for teaching, learning, staffing, and student support

By funding facilities through bonds, the District can help protect the resources needed for educational programs and daily operations.

If Issue 7 fails, the levy fails, which means the District would not have the operating funds needed to maintain current programming. Additionally, the District would still need to address the urgent repair needs at Hastings, Jones and Burbank, meaning they’d be forced to pay cash for repairs — out of the same fund that pays teachers, purchases textbooks, and invests in student programs.

Learn more about voting on the Voting page.

At Hastings, the District will rebuild the school on the current athletic field site at a cost of $110.8 million. Design will begin in 2027, construction will begin in 2028, and the new building will be usable for the 2030–2031 school year. During construction, students will remain in the current Hastings building, since the new school will be built on the adjacent field rather than the existing footprint. You can learn more about the Master Facilities Plan at the district’s page here.

At Jones, the District will rebuild the school while retaining the original 1923 building at a cost of $135.25 million. Design will begin in 2027, construction will begin in spring 2028, and the new building will be usable during the 2030–2031 school year. During construction, students will be off-site: 7th and 8th graders at a new addition to Upper Arlington High School, and 6th graders in modular classrooms at Tremont Elementary. You can learn more about the Master Facilities Plan at the district’s page here.

At Burbank, the District will rebuild the school just behind its current footprint, adding four additional classrooms, at a cost of $39.45 million. Design will begin in 2027, construction will begin in 2028, and the new building will be usable for the 2029–2030 school year. During construction, students will remain in the current Burbank building while the new one is built nearby. You can learn more about the Master Facilities Plan at the district’s page here.

Design work begins in 2027, followed by bidding in 2028, and construction running through 2028–2031.

Hastings students remain in their current building during construction, since the new building is being built on the adjacent athletic field site. Burbank students remain largely on-site as well. Jones students will be relocated during construction: 7th and 8th graders to a dedicated area at Upper Arlington High School, and 6th graders to modular classrooms at Tremont Elementary.

To fund the construction at Hastings, Jones, and Burbank, the District is asking voters to approve a $273.5 million bond issue, which would result in an estimated 2.25 mill increase to the current bond tax rate. The bond issue would be combined with an operating levy of 4.9 mills. If approved, this would increase the property tax of a $500,000 home (as valued by the county auditor) by approximately $1,250.

Ohio offers property tax relief specifically for seniors through the Homestead Exemption, which shields a portion of a home’s appraised value from taxation for qualifying homeowners age 65 and older (and disabled homeowners of any age), based on income. For accurate, up-to-date details and applications, visit the websites below:

• Ohio Department of Taxation, Homestead Exemption
• Franklin County Auditor, Homestead Exemption

Construction costs in central Ohio have climbed sharply in recent years, driven by rising material costs, labor shortages, and tariffs on materials like steel and aluminum. If we had to build the high school and five elementary schools today, it would literally cost double what it cost just a few years ago – half a billion dollars! Every year UA waits, Hastings, Jones, and Burbank only get more expensive to build.