Frequently Asked Questions

Part of Lakota’s strategic plan calls for an in-depth assessment of our facilities. Called a Master Facilities Plan (MFP), this process is needed to develop and communicate a long-range vision for our school facilities that will protect our district’s most important physical assets - our 25 buildings valued at more than $632 million - and best support our students' current and future educational needs. It serves as a guide for assessing the long-term needs over the next 30+ years for facility improvements and the capital investments required to implement them.

The MFP will assist us with ensuring that our schools continue to provide a quality learning environment that fosters future-ready, student-centered and personalized learning experiences for every single learner every day.
 

The goal of our MFP is to continue providing exceptional learning environments that support our community’s vision for the future of education at Lakota, while utilizing existing facilities in the most fiscally responsible manner.

The last time Lakota completed a comprehensive plan was in the early 2000s, with an implementation in 2008. 

With an average age of 34 years, some of Lakota’s aging facilities are showing significant signs of deterioration and are becoming increasingly expensive to maintain. In many cases, they are not equipped to provide students with the learning spaces that match current and future K-12 educational models.

Furthermore, the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission's (OFCC) recent study projects continuing enrollment increases in the District’s northern schools. Many of these schools have already become overcrowded. In a few cases, this has meant the expansion or return of portable classrooms. Since 2018, Lakota’s enrollment has increased by 600 students. In fact, our current enrollment has already surpassed the growth predicted through the studies completed by both the OFCC and an independent company.

Finally, when Lakota renewed its membership in Ohio’s Expedited Local Partnership Program (ELPP) in 2024, it made the District eligible to begin receiving partial funding from the State for all system or building upgrades or improvements that are defined in the final approved Master Facilities Plan. Once the Board submits its Master Facilities Plan to the OFCC, it must be approved by the State. Then, the District can begin building a credit with the OFCC once it spends its first $1 million dollars on projects in the approved plan.

Lakota's reimbursement rate through ELPP is currently 32%. Acceptance into ELPP is a non-binding agreement on the District’s part. That means, if funding sources have not been secured within one year, Lakota can re-apply for the program. The longer Lakota delays getting the MFP approved and funding sources secured, the bigger the risk of increased construction costs and a decrease in the reimbursement rate from ELPP.
 

The long-range Master Facilities Plan assesses the needs of all 21 Lakota school buildings, with Lakota Central part of West Freshman and Lakota's preschool part of VanGorden Elementary and Liberty Early Childhood schools. Some schools could be replaced, consolidated, expanded or renovated, while others will receive more routine maintenance to bring them up to new standards over the span of the plan’s 30+-year implementation. With the MFP looking 30+ years into the future, every building will be included in the plan, even if just for standard renovations to address normal aging and maintenance. 

Design work has already begun on the master facilities plan. The Board is seeking voter approval in November 2025 to pass a bond issue to fund the plan. If the bond issue passes, the estimated timeline is as follows:

• 2025 Design Work
• 2026-2027 Construction Begins
• 2028 Grades 6-12 additions completed in time for the start of the 2028-2029 school year
• 2029 New elementary schools construction completed in time for the start of the 2029-2030 school year
• 2030 Demolition of decommissioned schools 

At this time, it does not appear that students will need to move buildings during the construction and renovations of Lakota's schools. While some of the work will need to take place during the school day, we will try to make disruptions as minimal as possible to our students and staff.

After careful consideration, including gathering feedback from multiple community listening sessions, the Lakota Board of Education approved this plan during the 2023-2024 school year. 

At its June 30 regular meeting, the Lakota Local Schools Board of Education took the formal step of placing a bond issue on the November 2025 ballot to fund renovations to aging facilities and the construction of new buildings to meet the District’s growing enrollment, enhance student safety and support academic achievement through learning environments.

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Lakota’s schools are aging. The average building is 34 years old, and by 2038, one-third of our schools will be over 50 years old. As buildings age, they become harder and more expensive to maintain—and less efficient for learning.

A recent state assessment by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) found that 12 of our 21 buildings are in “deficient” or “borderline” condition*. "Deficient" does not mean that the school is unsafe or not being maintained properly by the District. The OFCC will pay 32% of the cost to build a new school, but nothing to renovate it. Any deviation from these recommendations would require Lakota to cover 100% of the renovation costs, as opposed to 68% with the OFCC's reimbursement.

Lakota will apply for a waiver on the three borderline schools which would allow for renovations instead of decommissioning the buildings.

In addition, enrollment is growing—especially in our northern schools. Since 2018, we’ve added 600 students, and some schools are already using portable classrooms to keep up. Our current enrollment has already exceeded projections from both state and independent studies.

The Master Facilities Plan addresses both aging buildings and growing enrollment to ensure our schools are safe, modern, and ready for the future.

*Note: Creekside, West Freshman and Central share one building.

Every building in the district has been assessed by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC). Assessments are completed for the entire facility and evaluate 23 major building components, including structure, systems, technology and safety.

At each school, the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) evaluates 23 major building components. Based on the current condition, a renovation cost is assigned to each component and covers all upgrades required over the next 30+ years to match the condition of a new building. Renovation costs are revised annually by the OFCC.

The OFCC also assigns each building a replacement cost, which is determined by multiplying the building’s square footage by the cost per square foot. The per square foot new construction cost is set by the OFCC and is based on other school construction throughout the state. 

The OFCC uses the following formula to determine a building’s overall condition rating and if it should be renovated or replaced: Cost to Renovate / Cost to Replace = %. Based on that percentage, a building is classified as follows:

* Under ELPP, the district would receive the state funding only if renovated. 

** The District can apply for a waiver from the OFCC, allowing them to receive state funding to renovate instead of replace, only if approved.

View Lakota’s current building condition ratings, as assigned by the OFCC. 

Being classified as “Deficient Condition,” or receiving a percentage rating of 66 or above (replacement cost divided by renovation cost), does not mean that the school is currently unsafe or unfit and not being maintained properly by the District. In some cases, the school may get a deficient rating based on the goals of the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) to bring all buildings up to a “new” standard over the next 30+ years of its life. 

For example, an existing roof may be nine years old and performing as designed. Under normal use and maintenance, this roof could last another 10 to 15 years. In the OFCC program, however, this roof would be considered “deficient” as they would want to eventually replace it with a new roof with a long-term warranty.

The OFCC will pay 32% of the cost to build a new school, but nothing to renovate it. Any deviation from these recommendations would require Lakota to cover 100% of the renovation costs, as opposed to 68% with the OFCC's reimbursement.

No Lakota school is considered unsafe in its current condition. Being classified as “Deficient Condition,” or receiving a percentage rating of 66 or above (replacement cost divided by renovation cost), does not mean that the school is currently unsafe or unfit and not being maintained properly by the district. In some cases, the school may get a deficient rating based on the goals of the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) to bring all buildings up to a “new” standard over the next 30+ years of its life. 

Despite some of the difficulties and challenges that come with maintaining systems in our aging facilities, even our oldest schools meet state safety codes and regulations established at the time of the building’s construction. This does not mean they are current with today’s safety and health codes. In some of our buildings, certain system upgrades - like improved air filtration systems as requested during the pandemic, for example - cannot be supported by current systems without a complete replacement.

The new grade configuration reduces building transitions, creating more stability and stronger academic continuity for students. The extended time in one school helps students build stronger bonds with staff and families, improving academic outcomes. 

The new grade-band configurations, coupled with additions and renovations, will open more classroom space in our schools. This will give district leaders more flexibility to adjust class sizes by adding additional sections when needed. Currently, many of our schools do not have space to accommodate additional classrooms. This has caused the District to invest in modular classrooms and shift to shared spaces for specials like “art on a cart.”

As an example, if core classes in early childhood and elementary schools had a 24-student class size, 20 additional teachers and classrooms would be needed. This does not include classrooms for specials. As our buildings stand right now, we simply do not have the space to accommodate this model.

New and renovated buildings will include fully accessible, purpose-built spaces for special education programs. The plan prioritizes inclusive design and improved access to specialized services.

Athletic facilities are typically locally funded initiatives (LFIs) and are not eligible for co-funding by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission. The amount of the project includes money to invest in athletic facilities at both high school campuses. District leaders are also discussing potential partnerships to assist with the funding of these facilities.

The District has worked extensively with our local law enforcement partners, West Chester and Liberty townships and Butler County to evaluate pedestrian safety at our schools this year. Should traffic patterns change due to additions at schools, this will be carefully evaluated and changes shared with our families. New and renovated schools will include updated site designs to improve traffic circulation, drop-off zones, and pedestrian pathways. The District will work with local law enforcement and municipalities on traffic planning.

If voters approve the November 2025 bond issue, the estimated timeline is as follows:

• 2025 Design Work
• 2026-2027 Construction Begins
• 2028 Grades 6-12 additions completed in time for the start of the 2028-2029 school year
• 2029 New elementary schools construction completed in time for the start of the 2029-2030 school year
• 2030 Demolition of decommissioned schools 

The exact locations for the four new K–5 elementary schools have not been finalized yet. The District is currently evaluating several factors to determine the best sites, including:

• Geographic balance across the District to serve all neighborhoods equitably;
• Current and projected enrollment patterns;
• Availability and condition of existing school properties;
• Transportation and traffic flow considerations; and
• Opportunities for community partnerships or shared use.

Once potential sites are identified, the District will engage the community for input before making final decisions. Updates and opportunities to participate will be shared on the Master Facilities Plan calendar and through district communications.
 

The District owns enough land to accommodate the four new K-5 schools listed in the approved plan. Therefore, the Board does not believe additional land will be needed. However, district leaders have met with representatives from both West Chester and Liberty townships, as well as Butler County, to discuss if there is an opportunity to partner for locations beyond land that Lakota currently owns.
 

Decreasing Lakota’s overall building count, including the final approved plan, means constructing larger schools to accommodate all of our students. How attendance zones are redeveloped and district lines redrawn will determine the numbers making up each building. 
 

While redistricting will inevitably be a part of this process, we understand that it is important to our families that our schools follow a neighborhood model, meaning schools would be geographically situated to serve surrounding neighborhoods and students residing within the same neighborhood would not attend different schools. We will do our best to continue this.
 

While specific projects and upgrades cannot be determined until the Board and committee work through the logistics and details of the approved plan, each of our schools will be updated to meet current and future standards as determined by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC). The MFP looks 30+ years into the future, so every building will be included in the plan with upgrades and improvements to bring it up to current design standards.

Furthermore, buildings that are slated to serve a different grade band than they currently serve will require modifications. These costs are considered in each of the options being considered. 

We will closely consider the required modifications to make any transitions for buildings impacted by grade-band changes. These costs are factored into the final approved plan.

We understand that many of our community partners utilize our facilities and outdoor spaces. This is something that will be closely considered as we finalize things like building locations and how to best utilize buildings that would close. 
 

The schools that are slated to be decommissioned have been rated as “deficient” by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC), not Lakota. "Deficient" does not mean that the school is unsafe or not being maintained properly by the District. The OFCC will pay 32% of the cost to build a new school, but nothing to renovate it. Any deviation from these recommendations would require Lakota to cover 100% of the renovation costs, as opposed to 68% with the OFCC's reimbursement.

For example, the cost to renovate Shawnee Early Childhood School is approximately $19.5 million. The cost to build a similarly-sized NEW K-5 school is about $20 million, not taking into consideration the 32% reimbursement from the OFCC. This is a more cost effective and fiscally responsible direction to take for our taxpayers.

Some of this land on which the “deficient” buildings stand will be used to build the four new K-5 schools called for in the plan. For the remaining properties, no final decisions have been made. Possible outcomes may include:

• Repurposing for community or district use;
• Selling the property to generate revenue; or
• Converting to green space or other public benefits.

The Board is committed to a transparent process and will actively seek community input before making any decisions. Updates and opportunities for engagement will be posted on the Master Facilities calendar.

This is still to be determined. The committee will need to look at logistics such as attendance zones, building needs, enrollment, etc. This process will be part of the committee's planning work.

The safety of our students and staff is always our first priority. Construction zones will be physically separated from student areas and contractors will adhere to strict safety and background check requirements. Work will be phased to minimize disruption to learning and students will not have access to any construction areas. 

Our new architect, Elevar, has proposed several different layout options for the additions to our secondary schools that will have less of an impact on student learning, as well as be more cost effective. While there will be some disruption as the additions are connected to the existing buildings, it is our hope that it is as minimal as possible. When feasible, construction will occur after hours or during breaks.

This process will be repeated when renovations are done to primary, or grade K-5, schools.

Yes. All buildings will receive updated mechanical systems, including energy-efficient HVAC, modern electrical systems, and improved air quality standards.

Bond Issue

A bond issue would authorize Lakota to sell bonds to raise money for capital improvement projects supporting the Master Facilities Plan. Like a mortgage, the District must repay the bonds over time.

Operating Levy

An operating levy is taxpayers' support for the District to pay its day-to-day operating expenses. Like a checking account, Lakota uses the majority of its operating fund to pay for instruction, pupil support, instructional support and extracurricular activities.

Permanent Improvement (PI) Levy

A permanent improvement, or PI, levy is the taxpayers' support for the District to pay for expenses that have a lifespan of at least five years. Like a savings account, Lakota uses this money for long-term expenses. Examples include curriculum purchases, technology and the upkeep and maintenance of Lakota's buildings.

To bring the Master Facilities Plan to life, we’ll need a combination of state support and local funding:

• State Reimbursement: The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) will reimburse the District for 32% of the costs for approved projects. That means for every dollar we spend, the State will contribute 32 cents. Once the plan is approved by the OFCC, Lakota will lock in its 32% reimbursement rate once it spends $1 million in projects on the approved plan.
• Local Bond Issue: The remaining funds will come from a bond issue, which requires voter approval. The exact amount (called “millage” or "mills") must be verified by the Butler County Auditor, but we are anticipating the net increase to our taxpayers would be 2.66 mills. Here’s what we know:
  • 1 mill generates about $100 million in bond financing.
  • 2 mills from the 2005 bond issue will be fully paid off in 2029. This means the taxes currently collected for those bonds will no longer be needed. This is referred to as “bonds rolling off.”

Because of the 2 mills rolling off, when the District asks voters to approve new funding for the Master Facilities Plan, the actual increase in taxes, or net increase, of 2.66 mills, will be lower than the full amount shown on the ballot. In other words, some of the new cost will be offset by the old debt rolling off. This helps reduce the financial impact on taxpayers while still allowing the District to invest in new and renovated schools.

In anticipation of the master facilities plan (MFP), Lakota’s finance leadership has been laying the groundwork to ease the burden on the taxpayers as much as possible. This includes taking advantage of lower interest rates to refinance district debt and pay it off earlier. Currently, residents pay over three mills to the school district for its current debts, which will be mostly paid off in 2028. As this debt is paid off, the District would replace it with new debt incurred from the MFP, a strategy that can be compared to a car owner who buys a new car just as they’ve paid off their old one. 

As a result, the net overall increase to the taxpayer to cover the full cost of the MFP is lowered.

The Lakota Board of Education determined that this bond issue is essential to fund the construction, renovation and modernization of school facilities as outlined in our Master Facilities Plan. This funding will address critical infrastructure needs and create future-ready learning environments for all Lakota students, including:

• Construction of four new elementary schools:
  • These new K–5 buildings will replace aging facilities and reduce the total number of buildings the District operates, creating a more efficient footprint and improving the educational experience.
• Major additions and renovations at Lakota East and West high schools, East Freshman and Plains Junior School:
  • These upgrades will increase capacity and modernize instructional, athletic and performing arts spaces.
• Comprehensive renovations at multiple elementary and junior schools:
  • Facilities like Cherokee, Independence and Ridge Junior schools will receive significant updates to align with modern learning needs.
• Demolition of outdated facilities:
  • Several older school buildings will be taken offline and safely removed to support long-term efficiency and reduce maintenance costs.
• District-wide safety and security enhancements:
  • Projects include improved visitor entry systems, upgraded lighting, secure vestibules and ADA compliance improvements across all sites.
• Upgraded learning environments for the arts and extracurricular programs:
  • Plans include renovated music and art classrooms and new or enhanced athletic fields. The District is also exploring potential partnerships that may open opportunities for a dedicated performance space.
• Improved site designs for traffic and pedestrian flow:
  • Each construction or renovation project will include updates to drop-off zones, parking and walkways to enhance safety and efficiency.
• Modern infrastructure and energy efficiency:
  • All buildings will receive updated HVAC, electrical and building systems that reduce operating costs and improve indoor air quality.
• Support for new grade configurations and smoother student transitions:
  • Fewer building transitions and appropriately grouped grade levels will support academic performance and social-emotional well-being. 

This investment is not just about buildings—it’s about making sure every Lakota student learns in an environment that matches the demands of today and tomorrow's worlds. Through a partnership with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC), the District qualifies for 32% in state co-funding, reducing the burden on local taxpayers.
 

While decreasing Lakota’s building count from 22 to 16 means larger buildings to accommodate all our students, we still anticipate some operational savings in areas like utility costs, systems maintenance and buildings/grounds upkeep, for example.

These savings and added costs, up against the capital costs required to renovate or rebuild, are important. Lakota's treasurer and CFO, Adam Zink, has shared that the annual estimated operational savings could be approximately $6 million per year.

As a baseline, the Board considered this idea. The schools not included in the plan have been rated as “deficient” by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC). This means that the renovations required to bring the school to the same standards as a new building would cost more than new construction. If we do not follow their rating, Lakota would be responsible for 100% of the costs. By partnering with the OFCC, we are able to receive a 32% reimbursement on approved projects, including new construction. 

For example, the cost to renovate Shawnee Early Childhood School is approximately $19.5 million. The cost to build a similarly-sized NEW K-5 school is about $20 million, not taking into consideration the 32% reimbursement from the OFCC. This is a more cost effective and fiscally responsible direction to take for our taxpayers.

The grade reconfiguration for the master facilities plan is a direct response to the community’s strong request for fewer building transitions, as conveyed during community feedback forums. Furthermore, the K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 models, which the approved plan uses, are more commonly used in the K-12 educational environment and allow the District to be more efficient with our learning spaces.

The grade configuration changes mean a broader mix of ages in each building and students remaining in the same building longer and with fewer transitions. Having older students (fourth and fifth grades) in the same building as K-3 students, for example, means added mentoring opportunities among older students and younger students. Having students remain in the same building for longer facilitates stronger relationships between staff and students and their families. All of this contributes to stronger academic performance.

The Board of Education and Lakota Local Schools are committed to student safety, making it the first priority, always. The shift to fewer buildings will also assist the District in maintaining a consistent number of school resource officers in our schools.
 

The new grade configuration reduces building transitions, creating more stability and stronger academic continuity for students. The extended time in one school helps students build stronger bonds with staff and families, improving academic outcomes. 

The decision to move to a middle school model was made carefully with the best interest of Lakota’s students at the forefront. There are many opportunities to explore now that a middle school configuration, grades 6-8 in one building, has been approved. For example, while sixth graders might not have the same athletic opportunities as the seventh and eighth graders, the new configuration could mean more opportunities such as exposure to band and choir earlier.

Enrollment dictates the space that will be required to support current and future students and their learning needs, so Lakota’s projected enrollment is a major factor in the facilities plans being considered. The State completed an updated enrollment study in the Fall 2024, which the District will use to build out the plan.

The most recent 10-year enrollment study completed in 2024 projects continuing increases in the District’s northern schools, which are already becoming overcrowded and, in some cases, have meant the expansion or return of portable classrooms. Since 2018, Lakota’s enrollment has increased by 600 students. In fact, our current enrollment has already surpassed the growth predicted through studies completed by both the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) and an independent company. 

The 30+-year facilities plan outlives the 10-year enrollment outlook, so while the options address the anticipated growth in pockets of our community, we cannot guarantee that future changes to the school configurations will not be required to address enrollment figures beyond the 10-year projection.

Current projections by the OFCC show that the District will peak around 19,000 students, compared to the current enrollment of 17,000.

An open, honest and transparent process that involves the community from the beginning is of critical importance to Lakota. A compilation of community meetings, focus groups, online surveys and even one-on-one conversations, emails and phone calls will shape the final outcome. 

Frequent data sharing and input gathering has driven our development of the possible options and then the narrowing of the options. To help inform a final selection, the Board gathered community feedback through meetings, conversations and ThoughtExchanges. After careful consideration, the Board approved a final plan at its Dec. 12, 2022 meeting. During the 2023-2024 school year, the Board made adjustments to the plan in order to reduce the estimated cost of the overall plan.

Now that a final grade-band configuration has been approved, the committee is looking into how each building will meet the educational needs of our students into the future. More community feedback in the coming months will help inform timing, funding options and logistical details of implementing the plan.
 

Community focus groups and conversations held before, during and after the pandemic revealed some common themes that shaped the Master Facilities Plan. These include a desire for:  

• Fewer building transitions;
• Smaller class sizes;
• Personalized learning experiences;
• Flexible learning spaces for collaboration;
• Continued upgrades to safety and security; and 
• Increased mental health support.
   

The final Lakota Schools Master Facilities Plan will benefit every resident, whether they currently have children in our schools or not. The exceptional education provided at Lakota already makes it a district of choice for our families. More sustainable and modern schools to match that of some of our neighboring and competitor districts will make homes even more marketable and valuable to prospective homeowners. Moreover, providing students with facilities that match their learning needs is one way of investing in our future.
 

Absolutely. Community engagement opportunities to gather feedback will be posted on the Master Facilities Plan calendar. There will be visioning sessions, surveys and design forums to gather feedback as plans are finalized.