Frequently Asked Questions

Campaign funds are dedicated to helping residents stay informed and participate in the decision process. Funds support direct mailers to the Plain Local Schools voter base, printing and distribution of educational and informational flyers, costs related to encouraging absentee ballot registration and participation, and neighborhood canvassing and community outreach. All individuals working with the committee are volunteers, and there are no paid positions. This ensures campaign funds go directly toward voter education and outreach efforts. These efforts ensure voters have accurate information to make an informed choice.

The district has the opportunity to partner with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) to receive funding that will assist with the cost of construction for the schools. The district will receive a percentage based on its then-current ‘Equity Ranking’ with the state. Because this is a phased project, the district will self-fund all of Phase I (elementary schools) with the funds from the bond, and then it will be reimbursed by OFCC for their portion of Phase I, and OFCC will also provide funding for Phase II, so the combined reimbursement of Phase I and advance for Phase II will cover the cost of Phase II (middle school). The district will not have to seek a second bond for the construction of the middle school.

Yes. Qualifying senior citizens (65+) and permanently disabled homeowners may be eligible for the Homestead Exemption, which shields a portion of their home's value from property taxes. We encourage residents to contact the Stark County Auditor to ensure they are receiving all available credits.

The bond total is $116.8 million dollars over 37 years. It is estimated to cost the average homeowner $123/year for every $100,000 in home value. Example: $300,000 home = $369 per year.

In Stark County, Ohio, the property taxes you pay as a homeowner or landowner are used by multiple local government entities to fund essential public services and community needs. The exact breakdown depends on your taxing district (e.g., your township/city and school district), but here’s an overview of what your property tax dollars support:

Township/City Services:

• Police/Sheriff
• Fire
• EMS
• Street, road, and bridge maintenance
• Parks and recreation

County:

• 911 emergency communication systems
• Stark County District Library
• Stark County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery
• Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities
• Stark County Job & Family Services
• Stark County Parks

Public Schools:

• Teacher salaries and benefits
• Transportation
• Building maintenance and improvements

Most school construction bonds are general obligation bonds, which are typically backed by the “full faith and credit” of the district and dedicated property tax approved by voters. If property taxes are abolished, the primary revenue stream for repayment would disappear. That creates a funding gap - but not a cancellation of the debt.

There are several avenues that may be explored to address the funding gap. The state government may step in and provide an alternative funding mechanism or require a new tax or revenue source. Lawmakers might authorize a new type of tax, increase other existing types of tax (income or sales, for example) or redirect other existing forms of revenue. The State of Ohio has estimated that in order to replace lost property tax revenue through income taxes, the state rate would need to increase to somewhere between 11 and 15%. Alternatively, if the replacement came through sales tax, the current 5.75% state sales tax rate would have to rise to roughly 15-18%. The bondholder itself may sue to enforce payment.

If there is no replacement funding created, the district could default under the terms of the bond, but on a much larger scale, credit ratings could collapse, future borrowing could become extremely expensive, and there could be broader effects on the bond market.

The project budget includes built-in contingencies for inflation and material costs. Furthermore, our partnership with the OFCC provides state-level project managers who provide rigorous oversight. The district is committed to a fixed-price approach to ensure the community's investment stays within the voter-approved amount.

A levy is used for operational costs. Levies bridge the gap between state funding and the true costs of operating a school district. A bond is like a mortgage for the schools, except instead of borrowing from a bank, the district finances the cost of long-term projects through the municipal bond market. Bond proceeds can be used to construct new buildings.

The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) uses a 2/3 rule: if renovation costs exceed 66% of replacement costs, they recommend replacement. Most of our aging facilities exceed this threshold. Renovation would cost approximately $250 Million versus $116.8 Million for new construction.

The district has worked to be a responsible steward of taxpayer funds and has made repairs as facilities aged. However, these fixes are temporary. Many buildings are now reaching a point where major systems require replacement, renovation costs increase significantly, and ongoing maintenance becomes more expensive than replacement. Current studies show that renovating and maintaining all existing buildings would cost more than consolidating into three new elementary schools. Estimated operational savings to the district over ten years for consolidating facilities is approximately $47M.

Wait-time is wasted money. Construction costs are rising 5-7% annually. Our current window for 46% state matching funds is a guaranteed credit we've earned through the ELPP program—waiting risks losing our place in the state funding line and forces us to spend local dollars on 'band-aid' repairs for buildings that will ultimately still need to be replaced.

No. By Ohio law, bond issue funds are restricted to 'capital improvements'—bricks, mortar, and technology. They cannot be used for operating expenses like salaries, benefits, or daily supplies. This investment is strictly for the physical safety and modernization of our facilities.

Strong school districts are the primary driver of property values in Plain Local. Even for those without students, modernized schools attract families, keep our neighborhoods safe, and ensure our community remains a 'destination district' rather than a place people move away from.

Addressing Glenwood and Oakwood (and therein the middle school populations of 5-8 graders), is Phase II of the overall Master Plan with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC). Once Phase I (the elementary schools) is complete, the district will be able to begin Phase II.

Once the bond issue passes, the district could then begin the design phase of the project. Design is estimated to take one year, with very extensive planning taking into account everything that the district has with its current facilities. Once design is complete, construction will commence. Construction is estimated to take two years. It is important to note that with the district’s plan, no students will be displaced or will have to learn in temporary learning facilities. All students will remain in their current schools until construction is complete. Once the new buildings are complete, students will be moved in at the start of a new school year. Then it will be likely that the following summer the old building will be demolished. Demolition work is slated for when the school campus will be vacant.

The district is weighing multiple options and has been actively discussing potential partnerships with the City of Canton and Plain Township for sites that will no longer be used as schools. The district is committed to finding the highest and best use for its properties.

Final locations have not yet been selected. Several factors will guide site decisions, including topography and land conditions, adequate acreage for safe school campuses (OFCC recommended minimum acreage for an elementary school is 10 acres), environmental considerations such as wetlands, and traffic patterns and accessibility for families. These considerations will help ensure the best long-term locations for students and the community.

Plain Local Schools completed a long-term facilities review and determined that maintaining seven aging elementary buildings is no longer the most effective or financially responsible option. Building three modern elementary schools will provide safer, more secure learning environments, ensure consistent educational opportunities for all students, reduce long-term maintenance and operational costs, and support modern teaching methods and classroom technology.