Why New Philadelphia voters rejected the plan

New Philadelphia City School District voters rejected the plan four times, and the reason is unnecessary busing — both the added expense and the risk to students. The 2026 “perimeter” plan makes 3,000 students ages 4-18 eligible to be bused. Add the proposed 1.5% income tax, and the plan is dead on arrival.

The compromise plan below should pass.

There is support for building 90% new, if prekindergarten through sixth-grade students return to neighborhood schools and all “banding” busing and “taxi” burdens end in 2026.

The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission helps fund elementary buildings with more than 300 students. If the new compromise plan does not ask for more than the $80 million already approved, the OFCC should approve a new plan for 90% new construction. The architect will receive nearly full fees; the firm should not object. The NPS Board should go for it.

The board and administration must assure voters, in writing, that they will strictly adhere to the limitations and sequence of this compromise. This sequence is essential for the district to complete the construction plan. All prekindergarten through sixth-grade work must be completed before grades seven through 12 can be done economically.

A new 600-student grades three through six building ($25 million) along Springbrook (south edge of the South lot) must be built as soon as possible. That is essential to end grade banding in 2026 so all prekindergarten through second-grade students can return to their neighborhoods. That return may include York for two years.

While the new South grades three through six building is under construction, build new prekindergarten classrooms on the east side of old South to house all prekindergarten students residing south of the river. Move two South trailers to Central Elementary. Build a prekindergarten-kindergarten playground where the trailers were. For Old South kindergarten through second-grade pods, install movable partitions with sound-deadening ceiling panels and doors. The South prekindergarten through sixth-grade campus will be complete.

In the first construction summer, build new poured-concrete prekindergarten classrooms on the east side of East Elementary. In the second summer, replace the rest of East with poured-concrete classrooms. Enclose the entire facility with a six-inch-thick, eight-foot-tall poured-concrete fence.

In the first construction summer, West Elementary should get a new two-story prekindergarten-kindergarten concrete classroom structure (where trailers are now). During the second summer, replace the rest of West. Surround buildings and playgrounds with a poured-concrete security fence.

Central Elementary can be used as is for North grades three through six until the new grades seven through 12 building is complete.

With prekindergarten through sixth grade complete, Welty plus trailers can absorb grades nine through 12 students. The empty 1912 classroom building can be demolished, and a new grades seven through 12 classroom building built tightly into the corner of Fourth Street and Ray Avenue.

This compromise provides students 90% new construction without excessive busing and without a 1.5% income tax.

George Summers

New Philadelphia