Adding onto Central Academy will allow the district “to deliver new, innovative academic programs and environments” to students and to “provide educational space relief” for its other K-5 buildings, according to a press release from the district.
“Due to the central location of the building and the fact that the district already has busing serving this facility from the whole district, Central Academy is the most fiscally responsible option with a budgeted $10 million for the project,” officials said in the statement.
The $10 million project does not require a bond levy, according to the district.
“In May 2014, the Middletown voters passed a bond issue for $55 million. Through our partnership with the State of Ohio, we only needed to utilize $45 million for the new Middle School and modernized High School. This means we have $10 million we can use on permanent improvement projects such as adding to an existing building,” said Randy Bertram, treasurer at Middletown Schools. “The cost of the project including architect fees, construction management, and the actual construction is limited to the $10 million.”
In the four years since the bond issue passed, taxpayers have only paid on $45 million instead of the $55 million authorized, according to the district.
When Middletown City Schools sells the additional $10 million to complete their modernized building projects, property owners, starting January 2019, can expect an annual tax increase of approximately 1 mill or $35 annually per $100,000 of valuation for the life of the bonds, according to the district.
The district’s Curriculum and Innovation Department will form a design team to deliver a new, innovative academic program offered at Central Academy.
“Expanding our innovative programming at the elementary level is the next step of the Middie Modernization Movement. We’ve asked the community to pivot forward and we’re excited to do this together. Our kids deserve it,” said Marlon Styles, Middletown superintendent.
Construction will start in spring 2019 and the doors will open for students August 2020, according to the district.
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