On Monday, January 23, the North Royalton Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution that would place a 30-year, 4.9 mill school bond issue on the May 2 ballot. The bond issue is in the amount of $88,900,000 and, if passed, will build one new elementary school to replace the three existing buildings, renovate as portion, demolish and build new at a portion of the high school and renovate the middle school. The resolution was unanimously adopted.
“There is no way to use current funds to complete the $81million in renovations that the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission has stated are needed to renovate the existing structures, nor is there a way to use existing dollars to fund a comprehensive plan to provide facilities that meet the 21st century educational needs of all our students,” said North Royalton School Superintendent Greg Gurka. “We have presented to the community what will happen if the bond issue passes and how we will need to find the funds to pay for the renovations if the bond issue fails,” continued Gurka. “On May 2, the communities of North Royalton and Broadview Heights will hold the future of our community in their hands.”
If the bond issue fails to pass in May, the district highlighted the following programs and services, along with a budget, that are currently offered that are either above the state minimum requirements or are not mandated by the state, that can help pay for the facility repairs:
“* Increase in class sizes to approximately 30 students at all levels (approximately 15 positions) – $750,000
* Eliminate Remedial Support Services (RtI) (approximately 6 positions) $300,000
* Eliminate gifted services: 3 Teaching positions and 1 Coordinator- $185,000
* Eliminate Middle School Athletics – $125,000
* Close buildings to outside groups immediately after the school day, thus reducing the need for night custodial staff – $200,000
* Eliminate various administrative and district support staff positions: (i.e. Curriculum Facilitator, Technology, Central Office, Transportation department, maintenance) $300,000
* Eliminate various certified support staff – $150,000
* Provide minimum transportation (no high school and 2 mile radius for K-8; includes parochial and private schools) – $950,000
* Reduce supplemental positions (clubs and programs) – $25,000
* Increase pay to participate (Athletics and Music) – $250,000
* Eliminate 8th grade foreign language option and phase out German as an option – $75,000
* Reduce field trip due to reduced bus drivers – $25,000
* Limit professional development -$25,000
* Reduce supply purchasing – $50,000″
Also, if the measure fails, the following items will not be able to be addressed because of the lack of funding: asbestos removal, fire/security alarm systems, ADA issues, plumbing, safety sprinklers, lighting, furniture, flooring, technology infrastructure and overall asphalt/concrete replacements. “These still need to be addressed and the money will come from the operating fund once again,” said Gurka.
If the measure passes, construction of the proposed new school and renovated High School and Middle School is expected to begin in the summer of 2018 and be completed in 2019-20. The three buildings are expected to be done concurrently. If passed, the cost of the project will be $9.04 per month, for each $100,000 of home valuation.
The thirty-year bond issue would first be collected in January, 2018 and would be inclusive of the remaining bond issue that is presently being collected for the Middle School. “With the middle school bonds set to expire in 2018, the board is asking the community to continue the middle school bond support and add an additional 3.1 mills, which includes a .5 mill continuing permanent improvement maintenance fund dedicated to protect the community’s investment.
“The total millage of this request is 4.9 mills for a 30-year bond issue,” said Biagio Sidoti, North Royalton City Schools Treasurer. “However when you subtract the 1.8 mill currently being assessed by the middle school bond, the net increase is 3.1 mills to the residents.”
Public informational meetings are being planned over the next several months, according to school officials. Information will also be supplied on the school district website www.northroyaltonsd.org. A link on the homepage of the district’s website, called “Facilities Discussion,” will be updated regularly with information. In addition, residents can choose to visit the buildings during over fifty specified dates and times, also found on the website. Also, a community meeting is scheduled at the North Royalton High School Performing Art Center on Tuesday, March 21, at 7 p.m.
North Royalton Board of Education and administrators have scheduled many dates and times for open discussion and building tours regarding the upcoming bond issue in the May election.
Chat with The Board –
Pre-Board Meeting Open Hours
March 2, 5-6:30 p.m. with John Kelly and Heidi Dolezal in the Board of Education Conference Room
March 6, 5:30-7 p.m. with Jackie Arendt in the High School Community Room
April 6, 5-6:30 p.m. with John Kelly and Heidi Dolezal in the Board of Education Conference Room
April 10, 5:30-7 p.m. with Jackie Arendt and Susan Clark in the High School Community Room
One-on-One’s with the Principals Open Hours at School Buildings
Albion Elementary –
Meetings Held in Main Office
February 13, 6-7:30 p.m., February 28, 1:30-3 p.m., March 7, 8-9:30 a.m., March 16, 1:30-3 p.m., March 20, 6-7:30 p.m., April 3, 6-7:30 p.m., April 5, 1:30-3 p.m., April 11, 8-9:30 a.m.
Royal View Elementary –
Meetings Held in Main Office
February 9, 7-8:30 p.m., February 16, 1-2:30 p.m., February 22, 9-10:30 a.m., March 9, 7-8:30 p.m., March 14, 1-2:30 p.m., March 23, 9-10:30 a.m., April 5, 9-10:30 a.m., April 12, 1-2:30 p.m., April 12, 7-8:30 p.m.
Valley Vista Elementary –
Meetings Held in Principal’s Office
February 13, 9:30-11 a.m., February 15, 5:30-7 p.m., March 6, 1-2:30 p.m., March 8, 5:30-7 p.m., March 15, 9:30-11 a.m., April 11, 1-2:30 p.m., April 12, 5:30-7 p.m., April 18, 9:30-11 a.m.
North Royalton Middle School – Meetings Held in Principal’s Office
February 23, 9-10:30 a.m., March 9, 9-10:30 a.m., March 13, 7-8:30 p.m., March 20, 1:30-3 p.m., April 7, 9-10:30 a.m., April 19, 6-7:30 p.m., April 24, 1-2:30 p.m.
North Royalton High School – Meetings Held in Principal’s Office
February 24, 10-11:30 a.m., March 1, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., March 8, 6:30-8 p.m., March 14, 12-1:30 p.m., April 4, 8:30-10 a.m., April 5, 6-7:30 p.m., April 10, 12-1:30 p.m.
Talk with the Superintendent – Board of Education Office
February 22, 4-6:30 p.m., February 25, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., March 15, 4-6:30 p.m., March 18, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., April 5, 4-6:30 p.m., April 8, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., April 19, 4-6:30 p.m., April 22, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Community Meeting –
North Royalton High School Performing Art Center
March 21, 7 p.m.

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer