Loudonville-Perrysville Exempted Village Schools

During the July 8 Board of Education meeting, the Loudonville-Perrysville Exempted Village School District Board of Education approved a Resolution to Proceed with a bond issue. This resolution, now certified to the Board of Elections, marks a significant milestone in the district’s master facilities planning efforts.

The $53,500,000 bond issue is set to appear on the November 5, 2024 ballot. If passed, the funds will support the construction of a new PK-12 building, ensuring accessible and safe learning environments for all students. The decision follows a thorough and inclusive process that engaged the community through surveys and focus groups, identifying the critical need to address the aging school buildings.

Upon completion, the project will deliver a 123,289-square-foot PK-12 facility at an estimated total cost of $71,217,623. The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) will contribute approximately $15,681,130, with the district contributing $2,036,493. The local community portion will amount to $53,500,000.

Superintendent Jennifer Allerding expressed optimism about the project, stating, “The Board of Education's decision marks the next phase in our master facilities planning. Community input has been invaluable in forming an efficient and practical plan to address our aging facilities in a way that not only supports our students but our community as well.”

Guided by feedback from community members, students, and staff, the Board voted in the spring of 2023 to conduct a comprehensive facilities assessment in partnership with Garmann Miller, a K-12 professional planning and design firm. This assessment evaluated the condition and accessibility of current buildings to support the development of the Master Facilities Plan.

A Facilities Task Force, established in the fall, worked diligently to develop a community-driven plan. This diverse group, which included parents, community members, students, business owners, community partners, Board of Education members, and school staff, collaborated to create a plan that honors the community’s history while preparing for the future.

The Loudonville-Perrysville Exempted Village School District Board of Education approved a Resolution of Necessity for Bonds at their June 10 meeting. The $53,500,000 bond issue would appear on the November 5, 2024, ballot and, if passed, would support the construction, furnishing and equipping of a new PK-12 building.

The Board's decision follows a thorough and inclusive process that began in the fall of 2022. At that time, the district engaged with the community through surveys and focus groups involving community members, students and staff. These engagements aimed to identify strengths and areas for improvement within the district. The feedback highlighted the need to address the challenges posed by aging school buildings.

In response, the Board voted in the spring of 2023 to conduct a comprehensive facilities assessment in partnership with Garmann Miller, a respected K-12 professional planning and design firm. This assessment evaluated the condition and accessibility of current buildings, identifying essential areas for improvement or replacement. The findings from this study formed the foundation of a Master Facilities Plan designed to ensure safe and modern learning environments for all students.

The district then established a Facilities Task Force in the fall, comprising parents, community members, students, business owners, community partners, Board of Education members and school staff. This diverse group worked collaboratively to develop a community-driven plan for the district's facilities, honoring the area's rich history while preparing for future needs.

The Task Force's extensive review and assessment process, guided by Garmann Miller, resulted in two Master Facilities Plan options. These options were presented to the community for feedback in April, leading to the recommendation being delivered to and approved by the Board on May 13. The recommended plan prioritizes the phased construction of new academic spaces while maintaining and renovating existing facilities to optimize resources and meet evolving needs.

Under the plan, the first year will focus on detailed planning, followed by the construction of a Pre-K to 6 academic wing and shared spaces in years two and three. In years four and five, the final phase will complete the 7-12 academic wing, with high school students utilizing temporary swing spaces during construction. Construction of the new academic wings will result in a 123,289-square-foot Pre-K facility.

The estimated cost of the project is $71,217,623. The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) will contribute approximately $15,681,130, with the district contributing $2,036,493 and the local community portion amounting to $53,500,000.

The Loudonville-Perrysville Exempted Village School District Facilities Task Force made a recommendation to the Board of Education during the May 13 meeting on a comprehensive plan to address long-term facilities needs.

This recommendation marks yet another significant milestone in the district's ongoing commitment to providing a safe and accessible learning environment for its students. In the spring of 2023, the Board of Education partnered with Garmann Miller, a leading K-12 planning and design firm, to thoroughly assess existing facilities. This assessment laid the groundwork for the creation of a Master Facilities Plan aimed at addressing long-term needs while aligning with the community's vision for the district's future.

Over the past several months, the Facilities Task Force, comprised of diverse stakeholders including parents, students, community members and district staff, has meticulously reviewed and assessed various options for the Master Facilities Plan. Guided by Garmann Miller's expertise and informed by feedback from the community, the Task Force presented its recommendation to the Board of Education.

The recommendation prioritizes the phased construction of key academic spaces while maintaining and renovating existing facilities to optimize resources and accommodate evolving needs. Year One will focus on planning, followed by the construction of a Pre-K to 6 academic wing and shared spaces in Years Two and Three. Year Four and Five will see the completion of the 7-12 academic wing, with high school students temporarily relocating to swing spaces.

The project's total cost is estimated at $71,217,623, with the state of Ohio contributing approximately $15,681,130 through the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC), the District contributing $2,036,493, and the local/community portion amounting to $53,500,00.

"The task force has been working diligently to find the most cost-effective approach to addressing facility needs while considering the needs of our students, staff and community,” said Jennifer Allerding, Superintendent. "This plan reflects our commitment to providing an exceptional learning environment for our students while being mindful of fiscal responsibility and community input."