Frequently Asked Questions

1)     Why do we need the levy?

The proposed renovation and construction will enhance the safety, security, accessibility, and flexibility of our elementary and middle school buildings.  Moreover, our average classroom today is well below the standards recommended by the State of Ohio.  This levy will bring our children’s classrooms into conformance with the standards and expectations of our educators, district families and the State of Ohio. 

To accomplish all of the above, we will demolish our 1921 elementary building, add a two story addition in its place, and renovate the 1959 elementary wing and 1976 middle school building. 

2)     Why is the L-B school district eligible for State of Ohio monies?

In late 2007, the Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC) informed our Board of Education that our district would be eligible for matching funds for facilities improvement.  The OSFC bases eligibility on perceived need and local community economics.  The OSFC, as well as our community, understands that our schools are not supported by a large base of industry as compared to other local city and county schools.

3)     Why did the August ballot ask for 7.0 mills but the Board of Education committed to collect only 5.97 mills and now the November ballot will request 5.90 mills?

When the Board of Education requested that the levy be placed on the November ballot, the Hancock County Tax Department determined that based on the current property tax base, the millage needed to raise the specified funds should be set at 5.90 mills.

While the estimated cost of the proposed project has not changed from the August election basis, the Hancock County Auditor did advise that the school district’s tax base has increased modestly.  In short, this means it takes a slightly less millage rate to raise the same amount of money given the modestly larger tax base.  As a result, the Hancock County Auditor calculated the millage now required to raise the requested funds to be 5.90 mills instead of the previously determined 5.97 mills that the Board of Education committed to collecting in our prior campaign efforts.

So why did the August ballot include a 7.0 mills levy request?  The reason for this was simply one of timing.  The Board of Education was required by the State of Ohio’s Board of Elections to submit August ballot language in late May.  At that point, our Board of Education and architect were still refining some of the project cost estimates and awaiting approval of the building plan by the OSFC.  When the original ballot language was submitted, the anticipated millage rate was 7.0 mills based upon a higher budget that included several improvements to the high school building.  After receiving verbal approval of several modifications to the plan (including elimination of all work at the high school), the total cost of the project was reduced from the original estimate.  Based on this approved reduction, the Board of Education was able to commit to collecting only 5.97 mills prior to the August election.

4)     How much will this cost me?

-  If you are a homeowner (with no agricultural land), the net tax collection rate of 5.90 mills will cost a Liberty-Benton property owner $181/year for every $100,000 in property tax valuation (assessed value, not market value).  Residents who rent a home or apartment are not directly subject to this levy collection as it is assessed to the landowner. 

-  If you own farmland and are participating in the Current Agriculture Use Value (CAUV) program (which is a majority of Liberty-Benton district farmland owners according to the Hancock County Agricultural Extension Service Center), for every 100 acre parcel the net tax collection rate of 5.90 mills will cost the farmland owner between $19 - $180/year depending on soil types. 

5) How do I find out what the property tax valuation of my home is AND/OR the CAUV value for my farmland in order to calculate how much the additional tax would be?

-  If you are a homeowner (with no agricultural land) and have access to the internet, the easiest way to figure out how much the additional tax will be is to:

1)     Go to http://auditor.co.hancock.oh.us/tax_estimator/default.htm

2)     As long as you currently own property in Hancock County, select “Click to Continue”

3)     Make sure the “City & Street Address” circle is selected, then click “Proceed”

4)     Enter your address into the appropriate boxes as instructed then click “Proceed”.  Make sure the correct spelling is used (there are other spelling options provided in the drop down menu) and the proper suffix is entered (e.g., Drive, Road, etc.)

5)     Ensure the address displayed is your correct address and click “Proceed”

6)     For most residential dwellings, the “Residential” radio button will be selected.  ENSURE THE CHECKBOX NEXT TO “OWNER OCCUPIED” IS ALSO SELECTED TO GET AN ACCURATE ESTIMATION.  In the box labeled “Additional Millage”, enter 5.90 and then click “Calculate” to see the result.  

If you don’t have access to the internet, you can find your “appraised value” on your property tax form and enter it into the following formula to get an approximate additional amount.

-  If you own farmland and are participating in the Current Agriculture Use Value (CAUV) program and have access to the internet, the easiest way to figure out the CAUV value from which the tax collection of 5.90 mills will be based:

1)   Go to http://hancock.iviewauditor.com/

2)   Click on “Start a Search”

3)   Enter your Parcel # or Name into the appropriate boxes as instructed then click “Search”

4)   Ensure the address displayed is your correct address then click the linkable parcel number that appears prior to your name (This will bring up a screen that contains all the information regarding that parcel.)

5)   Click on the “Agricultural” tab to bring up all agricultural information on the parcel selected

6)     Towards the bottom of the Agricultural screen of information, the “Total CAUV Value” amount will be listed.

(This CAUV amount can be entered into the Tax Estimator as described previously.)

6)     Why did the Board of Education decide to renovate/construct versus build all new and why did we seek OSFC funding?

The Board of Education reviewed a myriad of different options when analyzing the best path towards a new facility for the elementary and middle school students.  With regards to the facilities and financing, the options ranged from complete renovation to total demolish/rebuild and total local funding to OSFC cost sharing, respectively.  In the end, the unanimous decision to renovate/rebuild was clearly the best value for the district considering the various ages and conditions of the respective buildings.  The financing of the project was looked at several different ways and while the Board of Education seriously considered asking the district to fund this project entirely by locally bonded dollars, it was not the best alternative from an economic standpoint.  That is, the Board of Education’s analysis revealed that using the OSFC dollar for dollar match afforded the district the best value for the dollar.  In fact, we estimate that funding the project with 100% local dollars would nearly double the required millage and cost the district millions of dollars more to achieve the same amenities and infrastructure.  With the partnership with the OSFC and the matching dollars, the Board of Education is seeking approval of just 5.90 mills. 

7)     What is the plan for providing classroom space for our students while construction/renovation is going on?

While all of the logistics have not been finalized, it is the goal of the Board of Education, the administrators and the project managers to be as least disruptive as possible.  This means taking advantage as much as possible of the summer months and non-instructional time to minimize disruption and displacement.  The project has dollars allocated for classroom swing space; however, it is the goal to keep all students on site without significant and frequent change of venue.

8)     How long will we be paying for this levy?

The levy will be collected for up to 28 years. 

9)     When will the new proposed levy be collected, if passed?

The first tax collection associated with this levy would be in 2010.

10)      What are the “Local Funded Initiatives” referenced in the brochure?

The Local Funded Initiatives are those improvements that exceed the State’s minimum requirements.  These improvements include:

·         additional music rooms

·         resource rooms for special needs instruction

·         one additional computer lab

·         elementary art room

11)      How do we forecast our building costs accurately?

Cost escalators have been added to the project estimate to account for rising costs for this multi-year construction project.  Additionally, work is completed on a bid basis that "locks in" our costs through the various stages of completion.  Lastly, a 3% contingency fee to cover any change orders is included.  The project manager, Buehrer Group, has a long standing reputation of “on time and on budget” school facility construction.

   12)      How confident should we be in the architects who developed the proposed plans?

The Buehrer Group managed our school improvements relating to our energy grant in 1992 and the construction of our new high school in 1995.  Their group has constructed 14 new schools through the OSFC and has two more currently under construction.  They have participated in 9 OSFC renovations, 8 additional new buildings and 17 renovations.  In total, they have constructed over 50 school facilities.

13)      What are the minimum requirements that the State of Ohio sets for classroom size and how many classrooms does the existing school have that meet those standards?

The size of classroom is based on a formula which suggests an “optimal size”.  The school has an option to “downsize” by 10% and still be within State guidelines.  Today, no instructional rooms meet the optimum or the 10% reduced size in the elementary and middle school buildings.

14)      What is the net increase in number of classrooms given the demolition and renovation and new build?

The new construction will result in a net gain of 3 additional regular education classrooms. 

15)      What will the utilities savings be for the proposed plan?

Because the utility costs are not regulated, it is difficult to accurately predict the actual costs savings associated with the new more energy efficient facilities.  However, increased energy efficiency is a known benefit and significant savings on a per square foot comparison is anticipated.

16)      What is the ease of accessibility in the new plan?

The new/renovated building will meet the standards established by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

17)      What are the safety improvements in the new plan?

With a single point of access for both the elementary and middle school buildings, there is greater control over who enters the building. Currently, there are many doors that allow access to the different buildings.

18)      Will there be sufficient parking at the elementary and middle school in the new plan?

Additional parking is part of the plan being proposed.

19)      What is going to happen to all the playground equipment?

The current equipment will be utilized at the school at a location yet to be determined. 

20)      What technological improvements are included in the new plan?

The elementary and middle school will realize dramatic improvements in technology and “technology ready” instructional rooms.  All technological improvements such as wiring, wireless environments and visual aids (such as smart boards and electronic display) will be in conformance with the most current recommendations of the OSFC.  

21)      What is the timeframe and schedule of completion for the new plan?

The improvements would begin the summer of 2009 with completion expected in the Fall of 2011 (total of 2 academic years).

22)      Will any of the existing school furniture and fixtures be used in the new plan?

Where appropriate, some of the current furniture and fixtures will be re-used.

23)      What other schools in the area are taking advantage of the OSFC’s matching monies program?

Area schools who have participated in OSFC projects to date are New Riegel, Miller City, Ottawa-Glandorf, Ottoville, Fort Jennings, Kalida, Leipsic, Continental, Pandora-Gilboa, Riverdale, and Van Wert.

24)      What is the remaining length of time for the current high school bond/levy?

The current high school bond expires in 2019 and was approved by the district for 7.60 mills.  However, it is noteworthy that although the levy was approved at 7.60 mills, the tax is currently being collected at only 3.86 mills since the property tax base has increased over the years due to growth in the district. 

25)      Are there any improvements in the proposed effort for the high school?

The high school was originally included in the initial proposals submitted to the OSFC due to requirements specified by the OSFC. However, L-B has already completed, or is in the process of completing, all required improvements (i.e., sprinkler system upgrade and parking lot resurfacing) through the use of general funds.  

Note: the Life Safety Code sprinkler system was not a requirement until the year after the high school was built.

26)      Are we issuing new bonds for the proposed effort?

Yes

27)      Is there something you can compare the additional $181/year per $100,000 to help me understand that it can be affordable?

The increased cost of $181 compares relatively to three “fill-ups” at the gas station or three “meals out” for a family of four. 

28)      How does investing in our school affect the value of my home?

If we continue to reinvest in our school facilities, we will establish a better learning environment for our students while creating an atmosphere that will retain and attract quality teachers.  Through this reinvestment, we will also continue to attract new families and district residents to our thriving community.  By having the highest performing students as well as the best teachers, we will make our community a great place to live, thereby making our properties more valuable.  It is a well-known fact that districts with a strong school system and solid community support tend to maintain and even increase their property values.

29)      I am 18 but have not registered to vote – what do I need to do so I can vote on November 4, 2008?

You have until October 6, 2008 (30 days prior to a general election according to Ohio regulations) to register to vote.  To get more information on how to register on-line or in person, visit http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/voterInformation/regToVote.aspx

30)      I will be out of town on November 4, what do I need to do to vote absentee?

You must fill out an absentee voter request form and turn it into the Hancock County Board of Elections (in person or by mail) to receive a ballot.  Absentee ballots will be made available beginning September 30, 2008 (35 days prior to a general election).  Any registered voter may receive and return an absentee ballot in person at the Hancock County Board of Elections, or receive and return the absentee ballot via U.S. mail.  The ballot must be received by 12:00 noon on November 1, 2008.  For more information and/or to download a request form, visit www.hancockboardofelections.com.

31)      What happens if the levy does not pass in November?

The Board of Education will have to reassess the alternatives.  Since the OSFC notified the district of their eligibility for 2008, the Board of Education would have to wait to be notified of eligibility for 2009.  If eligible, the OSFC match would more than likely be reduced causing Liberty-Benton to pay for more than 50% of the project costs.  The construction costs are estimated to increase 7% annually with the overall project costs estimated to increase by $1.5 million.  The need is never going to go away; therefore, we must act now to BUILD NOW FOR LESS!