Voters in Delaware County shot down the Olentangy Schools levy and bond issue by a margin of about two to one on Tuesday, and now the state’s fourth-largest school district is left to determine how to proceed as it anticipates rapid growth.
Around 15,500 Delaware County residents voted against the levy, for a roughly 63% defeat, according to unofficial results from the Delaware County Board of Elections. Just under 9,000 voters, or about 37%, voted for the levy.
In a small portion of Franklin County that falls within Olentangy’s boundaries, 10 voters weighed in – eight in support of the levy and two against it.
In a post-election video called "message of gratitude," District Superintendent Todd Meyer thanked the Olentangy community for its continued partnership, but admitted, “we are naturally disappointed that the ballot issue placed before voters did not receive enough support."
The district was asking for a 4.25 mill combined levy and bond issue. That levy included 3 mills for operation and 1.25 mills for improvements to infrastructure including roofs, parking lots and buses. The bond issue would have allowed the district to seek up to $350 million in bond proceeds for the construction of five new buildings.
Olentangy Schools reported the combined levy would have cost a homeowner about $149 per year for every $100,000 of the auditor’s appraised value.
Meyer said he knows the levy's failure leaves questions about attendance, buildings and when another levy will hit the ballot.
"In full transparency, we do not have those answers today,” Meyer said. “The needs of this district will not disappear, and we will spend the coming days outlining our next steps by examining resource alignment and evaluating our priorities as we work to meet the needs of an ever growing student population.”
The school district website says if a levy does not pass until 2025, delaying collections to 2026, the levy ask will likely go up to 5.25 mills and would cost the owner of a $400,000 home an additional $210 annually.
If levy approval is delayed to 2026, the operational ask may be 6.75 mills.
The district has said it expects the student population to grow by about 20%, or around 5,000 students, in the next 10 years.
District-provided enrollment data showed 23,272 students attended the district’s dozens of schools this year. The district stated that number was already higher than its capacity of about 22,600 students, with schools like Cheshire and Olentangy Meadows Elementary Schools and Liberty, Orange and Shanahan Middle Schools more than 110% full.
Two of the district's buildings, Berlin Middle and High Schools, were damaged in the severe storms that ripped through Delaware County and other parts of Ohio on March 14.
The district wants to use bond funds to build three additional elementary schools, a seventh middle school and a fifth high school, as well as make improvements to several existing buildings and facilities. That includes money for improvements to Shanahan Middle School, upgrades to a high school theatre, high school stadium and purchasing land for future growth.
Levies at Heath City Schools, Fairbanks Local Schools, Madison-Plains Local Schools, North Fork Local Schools and Teays Valley Local Schools also failed Tuesday.
