The September meeting of the North Royalton Chamber of Commerce was held on September 21. North Royalton School Superintendent, Greg Gurka, addressed the group on the upcoming school bond issue, which supports a facilities plan and maintenance. The total cost of the project will be $94,837,207, with $4,536,267 being supplied by the State of Ohio Facilities Construction Commission and $1,400,940 being supplied through local funding. The thirty-year bond issue would first be collected in January, 2017 and would be inclusive of the remaining bond issue that is presently be collected for the Middle School.
“As you are aware, the North Royalton City School District has a bond issue on the November 8th ballot and it is Issue 116,” said Gurka. “However, different from other bond issues that may have appeared on the ballot, this bond issue is not about facilities, it is about education. You see, education has changed a lot in the last several years.”
Gurka talked about the “elephant (in the room), named “Myopia” who lives in our classrooms. Myopia is able to see very clearly things that are right in front of him, but has trouble seeing things off into the distance. Myopia is a stickler for rules and tradition …and resists change.” He added that most love and hate change, citing the example of cell phones and other computer technology. When first introduced, many were skeptical, but today most people not only own many forms of it, but cannot imagine working without it. He added though, that in order for change to be accepted, it must bring benefits.
“So let’s talk about the what and why change needs to happen and how it impacts the future of education in our community,” said Gurka. “The reality is, that if we want North Royalton and Broadview Heights to be able to attract new families and new businesses, we need schools that meet the students’ needs of today and tomorrow, not our yesterdays.” To that end, he discussed the comprehensive buildings plan, that includes the a new, centrally located elementary school to be located at the southwest corner of State Road and Valley Parkway; the updating of the Middle School and the renovation/demolition/construction of the High School. This plan, as well as a .5 mill maintenance levy have been combined to become Issue 116.
“In order to accomplish this, we believe we have created a financing plan that will minimize that cost to our homeowners,” said Gurka. “We have made a commitment that the monthly cost on a $200,000 home will not be more than $18.08 per month. It may be less but not more. Fortunately we can accomplish this commitment due to several factors, which include our bond structure, the current low interest rates and the market demand for school district bonds. In addition, our high credit rating and most importantly, the expiring middle school bonds in 2018.”
With the middle school bonds set to expire in 2018, the new bond issue would continue the middle school bond support and add an additional 3.1 mills, which includes a .5 mill continuing permanent improvement maintenance fund. This is a 30 year, 4.9 mill bond issue, but when the 1.8 mill currently being assessed by the middle school bond is subtracted after 2018, the net increase is 3.1 mills. If passed, the cost of the bond issue will be $18.08 per month, for a $200,000 home value.
“This plan has been researched, well thought out and carefully examined by numerous residents and experts,” said Gurka. “The plan addresses the educational and facility needs of all students preschool through grade 12. All learning spaces, will be addressed to allow for continuity for student-centered learning opportunities. This single solution also addresses our facility needs for generations, including a long-term plan for the maintenance of those facilities which will protect our property values.” Gurka then talked about neighboring districts, who have either recently passed bond issues, or are also on the November ballot. “Strongsville City Schools $81 million bond issue included a new middle school that just opened last month. Berea has a bond issue for $113 million, Euclid has a bond issue for $96 million.
Detailed Information is available on the school district website, www.northroyalsd.org,http://www.northroyaltonsd.org. then click on the link “Bond Issue Facts.”

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer