By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The Bowling Green Board of Education moved ahead Friday morning to put a bond issue on the November ballot for a new high school.
During a special meeting, the board approved a resolution to proceed with the issuance of bonds for $72.8 million, and to certify the issue to the Wood County Board of Elections.
District Treasurer Cathy Schuller said the county auditor’s office set the necessary millage at 5.55 mills, which would cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $194 a year. (The auditor’s office bases the estimates on the $100,000 home figure because it’s easier for people to calculate their own costs from that round number.)
The bond paperwork will next be filed with the Ohio Department of Taxation, Ohio Department of Education and the Wood County Board of Elections, Schaller said.
Board President Ryan Myers said after the meeting that discussions are being held weekly with DLR Group Inc., which the board hired to create a facilities master plan for a new high school.
No firm decisions have been made, but the discussions have covered issues such as layout for the approximately 150,000 square foot building, the classroom sizes, gym size and cafeterias.
New Bowling Green Superintendent Ted Haselman, who takes over the position on Aug. 1, was present at the meeting Friday morning. His role right now, he said, is to meet and listen to the community. To that end, Haselman said he attended the recent Firefly Night event downtown.
“I’m trying to build a relationship with community members,” said Haselman, who is expecting to close on a house in Bowling Green later this month.
Haselman realizes he is coming into the job at a critical time, with the bond issue going on the November ballot.
“It’s real quick between now and November,” he said. “It takes a long time to build that trust. And you can lose it in an instant.”
Haselman has heard concerns from district residents – but has been pleased with the community support.
“A lot of people are trying to get this over the hump,” he said of the bond issue. “And I’m listening to concerns.”
Public school districts are in a difficult position.
“We’re asking hard-working folks to walk into the ballot box and self-impose more taxes,” he said. “We have an uphill battle.”
But during his tours of the district’s buildings, Haselman said many problems are obvious.
“Buildings are needed,” he said.
District leaders have been discussing public tours of the school buildings, so voters are aware of the deficiencies. However, those have been offered before elections in the past, and few people have attended. So Haselman said the district may offer virtual tours, which may be more accessible to local residents.
