Board Votes to Move Forward with MFP; Bond Issue Approved for Nov. 2025

At its June 30 regular meeting, the Lakota Local Schools Board of Education took the formal step of placing a bond issue on the November 2025 ballot to fund renovations to aging facilities and the construction of new buildings to meet the District’s growing enrollment, enhance student safety and support academic achievement through learning environments.

Superintendent/CEO Ashley Whitely emphasized the long-term vision behind the decision.

“This is about investing in the academic success of the next generation of Lakota students,” said Whitely. “Modern, well-equipped learning environments play a critical role in raising student achievement. With this bond issue, we have the opportunity to reduce overcrowding, lower class sizes and create spaces that support rigorous instruction, innovative teaching and student growth — while continuing to be mindful of the financial responsibility we owe our community.”

The proposed bond issue is designed to fund renovations to aging facilities and the construction of new buildings to meet the needs of a 21st-century education. Alongside the bond issue, the Board also plans to place a permanent improvement (PI) levy on the ballot to meet the ½  mill requirement of the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) and provide ongoing funding for maintenance and repairs. Lakota’s partnership with the OFCC will secure 32 percent in co-funding from the State for the Master Facilities Plan.

Board President Julie Shaffer underscored the District’s commitment to fiscal responsibility.

“We know that trust is earned, especially when it comes to taxpayer dollars,” Shaffer said. “That’s why we also approved a Resolution of Intent that ensures the total new tax collections will be phased in so the millage collected will not exceed an additional 2.66 mills from what we will collect in 2026. This reflects conservative projections of future property values, our excellent bond rating and today’s interest rates.”

The 4.99 mill bond issue would provide $506.4 million, to be repaid over 37 years, for renovating and improving existing school facilities, constructing new buildings, reducing class sizes and enhancing safety and security. The District is proposing a 0.95 mill permanent improvement (PI) levy estimated to generate $4.98 million for ongoing facility maintenance and to meet the OFCC ½ mill requirement. Altogether the ballot language would show a cost to property taxpayers of $208 per year per $100,000 of appraised property value.

However, to protect taxpayers, the Lakota Board of Education has committed to limit total new tax collections at no more than 2.66 mills, or $93.10 per year per $100,000 of appraised property value. This is possible because of retiring school debt payments, current and projected property values, Lakota’s AA+ and Aa1 bond ratings and today’s interest rates. This fiscal cap was formalized through a Resolution of Intent and reflects conservative financial assumptions reviewed by independent advisors. Additionally, the new tax collections would not go into effect until 2029. 

Treasurer/CFO Adam Zink stressed the importance of timing for the bond issue. 

“The Nov. 4th vote will not change the community's property tax payments for three years. We have been working diligently to avoid an operating levy for our taxpayers. With the community’s support, the passage of this bond issue will put Lakota in position to avoid a new operating levy that has been forecasted for Nov. 2028.”

With approval in November, phase one of Lakota’s Master Facility Plan, which includes additions Lakota East and West high schools, East Freshman and Plains Junior and moving to a 6-8 and 9-12 model, is scheduled to be completed by the start of the 2028-2029 school year. Phase two, which includes building four new elementary schools and moving to a K-5 model, is scheduled to be completed by the start of the 2029-2030 school year.

Additional public engagement opportunities and informational sessions will be held throughout the coming months to help residents understand the scope, impact and benefits of the proposed bond and PI levy ahead of the November 2025 election. All opportunities will be posted on the MFP calendar.