By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green City Council may soon be asking voters to support the upcoming school bond issue for a new high school.
Council is set to hear the first reading Tuesday evening of a resolution supporting the Bowling Green public school system – specifically the high school levy on the Nov. 7 ballot.
The resolution calls the condition of the current high school “unacceptable.” And it states that the public school system is a big piece of what determines the city’s quality of life, caliber of education, attractiveness of the community to potential residents and businesses, and future economic development.
The legislation, written by council member Bill Herald with input from council members Jeff Dennis, Rachel Phipps and Mark Hollenbaugh, is sponsored by the Committee of the Whole.
The language of the resolution points out that one of the most important characteristics of a community is its school system.
“The quality of life, sense of belonging, identification with the community, educational outcomes, and all-around development of the community’s children, as well as the economic growth and the appeal of the community, are all significantly impacted and molded by the life and vitality of the community schools,” the resolution states.
It mentions the “mosaic of schools,” in Bowling Green, including the public schools, private schools, Wood Lane and home schools. And it talks about how support and involvement with schools deepens a sense of community, and contributes to the well being of the schools, children and overall community.
The resolution continues by stating, “in the spirit of community, we should all come together to support the Bowling Green school system in a myriad of ways, including giving of our time, our talent, and our treasure.”
“All members of Bowling Green are better off when the Bowling Green public school system is healthy,” it states.
Through the resolution, City Council “strongly and clearly” states that:
- “Regardless of which schools are attended and which level of support is given, we are one community.”
- “The Bowling Green school system is only healthy if its public school system is healthy.”
- “The current condition of the public high school building is unacceptable and needs to change to enhance quality of life, caliber of education, attractiveness of the Bowling Green community to potential residents and businesses, and future economic development for the benefit of the residents of Bowling Green.”
The resolution continues by stating that City Council, on behalf of the government and citizens of the city, supports the Bowling Green school system and strongly encourages each citizen to support the schools “in whichever ways each deems appropriate.” It states that council “recognizes and respects each citizen’s responsibility to research and vote accordingly.”
“With all of the above in mind, Bowling Green City Council encourages and recommends each citizen vote for the proposed public school bond issue.”
The school district has made the drawings of the proposed high school available at https://www.bgcs.k12.oh.us/district/superintendent/facilities-planning. To pay for the new building, the district has placed a bond issue on the November ballot raising $72.8 million over 30 years.
