By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
In the shadow of last week’s loss at the polls, Bowling Green Board of Education and Superintendent Francis Scruci scolded those who let down students – either because they couldn’t get past grudges or they failed to resoundingly support the district.
“As you might surmise, we are feeling a great sense of loss and defeat,” Board President Jill Carr said at the monthly board meeting Tuesday.
The unofficial count for the high school bond issues is 5,417 against and 4,960 in favor – a difference of 457 votes. The combined income tax and bond issue would have generated funds for a new $70 million high school building, which would have been constructed on the grounds of the current school.
“I’m so outraged our community keeps doing this to our students and our teachers,” Carr said after the numbers came in last week.
Bowling Green will remain the only district in Wood County without new buildings.
“We all woke up on Wednesday knowing the community as a whole didn’t accept this issue,” Scruci said.
But none of the board members appeared to be giving up.
“I continue to believe the people of this district want a new high school,” board member Norm Geer said, suggesting that the district be back on the ballot “relatively soon.”
“We are all disappointed in the outcome, but we will continue to fight this,” Geer said. “This is very important. The school is a critical part of the community.”
Carr also said waiting will not lower the costs.
Seven years ago, it was projected to cost $72 million for a new consolidated elementary and a renovated high school. The costs now are $70 million just for a new high school.
“It’s a clear indication it’s not going to get any cheaper,” Carr said. Meanwhile, “the more run down these buildings will be.”
The district leadership thanked community members for working so hard on the bond – and chided others for failing students and staff.
A breakdown of precinct votes last week shows that the bond issues passed in 16 of the 19 precincts in the city. In contrast, the issues passed in only one of seven rural townships – and that was a precinct where 1 person voted in favor and none were opposed.
Those opposed to previous building issues (three others in six years) spoke against the $72 million price tag, rejected the concept of one elementary for the district, objected to building bonds purely from property taxes, and asked that the district seek state funding – though it would be several years away.
The district tried different plans – a combination property and income tax, applied for state funding, and a new high school. But nothing seems to work, Scruci said.
“We’ve now pushed this issue further down the road,” he said. “I honestly don’t know what’s going to resonate with this community.”
Scruci talked about Bowling Green State University frequently constructing new buildings. The county senior center built a new location, and the City of Bowling Green is currently building a new city hall.
“While the schools lag woefully behind,” Scruci said.
“Some may say, ‘I’m not voting until the superintendent is gone,’” he said. “They are punishing the students.”
“Some have taken great pride in defeating the issue,” Scruci said. “And many have stood on the sidelines and shared 20/20 vision.”
Board member Ginny Stewart said this is the fourth time in seven years that a small group of opposition has “submarined” the issue.
Meanwhile the administration and staff return to work every day, “in the tired worn out facilities that the community has allowed to stay in place,” Stewart said.
Stewart said it’s time that city government and BGSU realize new schools are necessary for the viability of the community. Only then can Bowling Green attract new families and secure healthy home values. Only then can the district regain some of the growth that has moved to Perrysburg and Findlay, she said.
It’s vital that the next time around, the city and BGSU must actively work to support a bond issue, Stewart said.
Board member Tracy Hovest thanked supporters, and noted the loss to children.
“At the end of the day, it boils down to our students,” Hovest said. “Giving them the facilities to learn in.”
Like other board members, Hovest said she has heard a laundry list of reasons people reject the building issues. After repeated efforts to respond to voters’ concerns, Hovest said it’s going to take those who truly support the schools to defeat the “small group hijacking this district.”
Board member Ryan Myers asked that the opposing sides “put our swords down” to find a solution.
“It saddens me that we haven’t been able to address building needs,” he said. “Listen, we all know the buildings need addressed.”
Myers asked that the focus be placed on the students.
“I believe we owe it to the community,” he said. “The students in this district need adults to figure it out.”
