Chardon Schools seeks bond issue passage

Money would go for new facilities and renovations

Chardon School District will be asking voters to decide on a bond issue in November, passage of which will be used for construction of new facilities and renovations within the next five years.

The 5.3-mill bond issue would pay for a new building for grades six through 12, a new 700-seat auditorium in conjunction with the new school, renovation to the stadium, including construction of a track facility, and construction of a new off-site transportation complex. Chardon’s bond issue is for 37 years. The yearly cost to residents would be $185.50 per $100,000 in market value property valuation.

“Passage of the bond issue will allow the district to undertake an historic construction project that will provide updated school facilities that meet the needs of today’s students,” said Superintendent Michael Hanlon. “This work is projected to be completed by August 2023 and will contribute to the district’s efforts to operate the school district in the most cost effective manner possible.”

The district stated that the Ohio Facilities Construction Committee determined the cost to renovate the existing schools to current design standards would be two-thirds of the cost to build new facilities.

“We are facing significant facilities issues in our schools and have worked diligently to develop a costeffective solution to address these concerns moving forward,” Hanlon said.

Construction of the new transportation complex and renovations to the stadium will free up available property for the construction of the new six-through-12 facility, the district stated. This will avoid disrupting high school classes during construction.

The superintendent added that the school district should progress regardless of the bond issue.

“Failure of the bond issue does not change the challenges the district is facing in relation to its school facilities,” Hanlon said. “The identified issues will still need to be addressed and funding to complete that work will need to be secured in order for the district to undertake this work.”

The general election will take place Nov. 5. There are 15,817 registered voters in Chardon Local School District according to the Geauga County Elections Board.