NEW PHILADELPHIA ‒ The New Philadelphia City Schools Board of Education has voted to place a 6.1-mill bond issue on the Nov. 4 ballot.
This is the third attempt by the district to get a bond issue passed. On May 6, district voters rejected by a wide margin a $72-million, 5.9-mill bond issue to fund construction of a new elementary school at South Elementary and eventually a new high school/middle school at the current site. The bond issue was also rejected by voters in November.
The updated millage reflects increased construction costs due to inflation and higher interest rates since the previous ballot attempts, school officials said.
State assistance
This ballot measure coincides with New Philadelphia’s recent eligibility for state funding. The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) approved the district’s facility master plan, making it eligible for $80 million in state funding ‒ approximately 55% of the total estimated cost of $145.5 million ‒ through the Classroom Facilities Assistance Program (CFAP).
New Philadelphia was one of four districts across Ohio selected at this time to receive CFAP funding and was allocated the largest share. The state funding offer is available to the district for 16 months beginning July 2025. Eligibility for the state funding is contingent upon passing a bond issue to fund the local portion of the project.
The proposal is the same as it was in May ‒ build a new elementary school at the South Elementary site for students from preschool through sixth grade; construction a new middle/high school for grades seven through 12 at the current high school site; and demolish all five elementary schools as well as the current middle/high school.
Projected cost to taxpayers
According to Tuscarawas County Auditor Larry Lindberg, the New Philadelphia bond issue would be repaid over 37 years with an estimated interest rate of 5.25%. It would generate an average of $3,924,276 each year to repay principal and interest.
He estimated the bond issue would cost homeowners $217 per $100,000 valuation per year.
In addition, there will be a 1 mill tax for permanent improvement purposes. Lindberg estimated it would generate an additional $632,948 per year. This levy is for a continuing period of time and would cost homeowners $35 per $100,000 valuation per year.
The total cost to the owner of a $100,000 home would be $252 per year, the auditor said.
“Our facility master plan was developed through months of community engagement, including public meetings, surveys, and building tours,” said Superintendent Amy Wentworth. “With this plan now approved by the state, the district is eligible for 55% of the total approved project cost to be covered by OFCC funding. This would apply to both a new pre-K through 6 elementary building and a new 7–12 middle/high school. Both buildings can be constructed at the same time if the local share is approved.”
More information about the facility plan, cost breakdowns, and tax impact is available at npschools.org or by calling 330-364-0600.