Thursday, November 04, 1999
New Miami schools chief exults over bond issue OK
BY SUE KIESEWETTER
Enquirer Contributor
NEW MIAMI — When Superintendent Robert “Bud” Bierly walked into New Miami Elementary School Wednesday morning, he was greeted by a second-grade boy.
“Thank you, Mr. Bierly, for our new school,” the excited child said, without prompting.
It was that kind of greeting Mr. Bierly encountered throughout the day as parents, staff and students shared the excitement of Tuesday's passage of a bond issue that will allow this small district to add a suite of classrooms to its high school. Voters approved the 4.68-mill issue, 655 to 382, or 63 percent to 37 percent.
It will provide the district's share — about $2.3 million — of a $10.6 million project put together by the Ohio Facilities Commission. When finished, all 890 students in this district will attend classes in one building, and the adjacent elementary school will be closed.
It is the first time in 25 years that the district has seen any major renovations. The high school opened in 1960. Eight years later a wing was added for junior high school students. In 1974 the elementary building was upgraded.
“Everyone's elated,” Mr. Bierly said. “We're gratified with the confidence the community has expressed. We're excited to be able to do some positive things for kids. It will have a dramatic impact on how we deliver services.”
A meeting with Hamilton architects Steed-Hammond-Paul and the facilities committee is set for Nov. 17. Then, a time line will be established and more detailed planning for the 53,000-square-foot addition will begin.
When completed, the elementary school students will move into the new wing and 29,680 square feet of what is now the junior high portion of the school. The elementary students will have 14 academic classrooms, a music room, computer lab, multipur pose room and media center.
The levy will increase taxes by $73 annually for the owner of a house with a market value of $50,000.
In the Middletown/Monroe Schools, Tuesday's renewal of a five-year, 8.09-mill operating levy will allow programs to continue uninterrupted. The levy represents about 12 percent of the district's budget and will be used for special education classroom services, transportation, building utility costs and instruction/library services. Taxes will not increase when the renewal takes effect in January 2001.
Voters approved the measure, 51 percent to 49 percent.
“We're working real hard to continue the momentum started five years ago,” said Middletown/Monroe Superintendent Wayne Driscoll. “This fiscal stability was needed to continue programs. We're not where we want to be in achievement, but we've improved each of the last five years and will continue to do so.”
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