FAIRBORN — Fairborn City Schools officials showed plenty of gratitude after the district’s additional bond issue was approved by voters Tuesday.
The 1.7 mill unofficially issue passed, 1,198-1,104, according to results from the Greene and Montgomery county boards of election. Greene County voters approved the tax 1,127-995, while Montgomery County voters were against it, 109-71.
“We can’t thank the community enough,” said Superintendent Gene Lolli. “I appreciate the community getting behind us once again. We are very happy about the outcome to finish this high school project. It will be very beneficial for the students.”
The levy will generate around $1.27 million annually for 34 years and cost the owner of a $100,000 home around $59.60 a year. The new bond issue will not raise taxes for district residents, according to Fairborn Schools Treasurer Kevin Philo, as the tax would not be collected until January 2027, the same time as a current 2 mill levy will expire.
The tax will provide funds needed for the new Fairborn High School building. District officials had cut some items because of the rising inflation and lack of sufficient funds from the bond issue passed in November 2020.
According to Lolli, inflation has caused everything from roofing to flooring supplies to increase, and forced the administration to cut back plans in light of rising costs. Thanks to this new levy, Lolli said they are able to go back to the original plans for the school, which includes a baseball field, softball field, tennis courts, turf band field and sports training facility.
Construction is ahead of schedule, according to Lolli, and they are planning on finishing the high school in March 2024.
“We are going to be able to finish out the current project on this high school with a high quality,” he said. “It will be a premier high school in Greene County.”
According to Lolli, even after renewing original plans and going back to the alternate list of higher quality materials, the funds allow Fairborn City Schools to add an additional $5.6 million to the middle school project planned for after the high school, which has already received approximately $38 million from from the State of Ohio.
Contact Ethan Charles at 937-502-4532.
