Frequently Asked Questions

A Master Facilities Plan (MFP) is a long-term plan that looks closely at all of Lakota's school buildings. The purpose of the plan is to help district leaders and the Board of Education create a clear vision for what Lakota's school buildings should look like in the future so they can best support student learning for many years.

Lakota currently has 25 buildings valued at more than $632 million.

When creating an MFP, district leaders:

• Study what each building will need over the next 30+ years;
• Decide what improvements should be made; and
• Determine how much money will be required to make those improvements. 

The goal of our MFP is to ensure that Lakota's schools continue to be safe, support student learning that matches our community's vision for the future of education and allows for future enrollment growth, doing this in the most responsible and cost-effective way.

The goal of our MFP is to ensure that Lakota's schools continue to be safe, support student learning that matches our community's vision for the future of education and allows for future enrollment growth, doing this in the most responsible and cost-effective way.

Lakota is updating its Master Facilities Plan (MFP) because voters did not approve the bond issue that appeared on the Nov. 2025 ballot. The District still needs a long-term solution for its buildings that are becoming harder and more expensive to maintain and to address overcrowding in our schools.

It's been a long time since the last plan was updated

The last time Lakota created a full, district-wide MFP was in the early 2000s, with updated completed in 2008. Many things have changed since then-in education, technology, safety and how schools need to be designed to support student learning.

Some schools are getting harder to maintain

Lakota's buildings serve hundreds, and some thousands, of students and staff every day. Because of this heavy use, the buildings experience more wear and tear and need repairs more frequently, which is becoming harder and more expensive to maintain. Many spaces no longer fit today's learning needs. Examples of this include collaborative space and flexibility so a classroom can have more than one purpose.

Overcrowding due to enrollment

Some of Lakota's schools in Liberty Township have portable units to add additional classrooms to address overcrowding. These units are not allowed in West Chester Township.

According to the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission's (OFCC) guidelines, Lakota is overcapacity by more than 700 students, when comparing our enrollment to the size of our schools. 

Timing matters for state co-funding

Lakota renewed its membership in Ohio’s Expedited Local Partnership Program (ELPP) in April 2025 in order to be eligible for co-funding dollars from the State. While initially told co-funding dollars would not be available for several years, the State has informed Lakota that approximately $100 million has been set aside for the district and will be available in the coming months. Additionally, our co-funding percentage has increased from 32% to 33%.

The longer Lakota waits, higher construction costs and inflation could impact the total cost of the plan. Delaying also risks Lakota's percentage from the OFCC, as it can change. 

The Master Facilities Plan looks at the needs of each of Lakota's 21 school buildings. (Lakota Central and Creekside Early Childhood School are connected to West Freshman and Lakota's preschool program is located at both VanGorden Elementary and Liberty Early Childhood.) 

The Board is studying community feedback to help decide what changes might be needed to the plan that was communicated in Nov. 2025. Depending on the final MFP, some schools may be:

• Replaced;
• Consolidated;
• Expanded;
• Renovated; or
• Maintained as they are.

Because the plan looks 30+ years into the future, every building will be included in some way, even if its for normal, routine maintenance. 

The Board is currently looking at options, including when to go back on the ballot for funding.

The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) found that 12 of our 21 buildings are in “deficient” or “borderline” condition*. This does not mean that they are unsafe. The State uses the word "deficient" when fixing and renovating a building would cost more than 67% of the cost to build a new one.

Lakota has asked for, and received, exceptions for three schools: Cherokee, Independence and Ridge. This means that those schools would receive state co-funding to help pay for renovations.

In addition to building conditions, enrollment is growing—especially in Liberty Township. Some schools are already using portable classrooms because they are out of classroom space. Lakota is already over capacity by more than 700 students based on the OFCC's space standards, and enrollment is expected to grow by an additional 2,000 students in the next 10 years, which is growth at a normal pace for our district. 

The Master Facilities Plan is designed to address building needs and enrollment growth to make sure that Lakota's schools remain safe, modern and ready for the future.

*Note: Creekside, West Freshman and Central share one building. Preschool is located at both VanGorden Elementary and Liberty Early Childhood schools.

Every school building in the district has been reviewed by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC). During the process, 23 major building components are reviewed, including structure, systems, technology and safety.

The OFCC's report is based on the idea that renovations will last about 20 years and new buildings last about 50 years before needing to be updated.

The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) reviews 23 important components at each school building. They estimate how much it would cost to update the components so the school can function the same as a new building for the next 30+ years.

The OFCC also calculates how much it would cost to build a new school. 

Then, the OFCC compares these amounts using this formula:

Cost to Renovate ÷ Cost to Replace = %

Lakota can receive co-funding for "satisfactory" or "borderline" ratings. View Lakota’s current building condition ratings, as assigned by the OFCC. 

No Lakota school is considered unsafe. When the State rates a building as “deficient” it means that renovation costs are ore than 67% of the cost to build a new school. It does not mean that the school is unsafe or that Lakota hasn't taken care of it.

Even if some schools have older systems that are harder to maintain, all of them still meet the safety rules that were in place when they were built. However, that doesn't mean that they meet today's safety and health standards. In some of our schools certain upgrades - like improved air filtration systems - cannot be added without major system upgrades.

If local contractors reviewed Lakota's buildings, they would have an unfair advantage when it is time to bid on future construction work. 

Lakota asked two local architects to review the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission's (OFCC) final report. During this review, Lakota asked the OFCC to re-evaluate three schools. Renovations on these schools, Cherokee, Independence and Ridge, now qualify for state co-funding.

The District has also hired Skanska/Megan/Shook as its Construction Manager at Risk. These local companies have employees who live in West Chester and Liberty townships. They have confirmed the OFCC's review is accurate.

The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) studied how much space students need in a classroom. They determined that 900 square feet (SF) is the best size for a classroom with 25 students. 

Districts are able to make classrooms slightly smaller - no less than 810 SF - so they can use the extra square footage for spaces like collaboration areas, common spaces, art and music rooms.

While 900 SF is the OFCC’s recommendation, 810 SF is the minimum size for a standard classroom. 

Current Lakota square footage examples include:

When the master facilities plan work began in 2018, Lakota expected that some schools would close (or be decommissioned) by 2023. However, the pandemic happened, the district had four superintendents in two years and the school board changed. These events paused facility planning but maintenance on the buildings continued. Cost-effective choices were made during this time.

For example, in 2018, it didn't make sense to put a new roof on West Freshman if the building would close in 2023. Instead, the roof was patched to save money.

Keeping students and staff safe is Lakota's first priority. We regularly update and improve safety features in our schools. Safety is also an important part of the Master Facilities Plan.

Safety will be built into every discussion. This includes things like:

• Stronger security at entrances;
• Cameras;
• How classroom doors are locked; and
• Better accessibility for people with disabilities (ADA compliance).

Community feedback showed that smaller class sizes as a top priority for the master Facilities Plan. Right now, many of our schools do not have enough space to add classrooms. This means that many classes- especially in elementary schools- have 27 or more students.

Some schools in Liberty Township use portable classrooms, and specials classes and intervention supports often share space because classrooms are full. Portable classrooms are not allowed in West Chester Township.

Learn more about Lakota's student capacity versus the State's recommendations.

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

Lakota has worked extensively with the West Chester Police Department, Butler County Sheriff's Office, both townships and the County to review student safety in our parking lots and for those who walk. Once a final plan is chosen, safety and traffic flow will be reviewed again. Lakota will continue working with local law enforcement and the townships to plan for traffic changes. Any updates will be shared with our families. 

Any changes to busing are still being considered. Once a plan is chosen, updates will be shared with families.

Bond Issue

A bond issue lets Lakota borrow money to pay for construction projects in the Master Facilities Plan. It works like a mortgage- Lakota borrows money and pays it back over time.

Operating Levy

An operating levy helps Lakota pay for everyday costs, like teachers, classroom supplies, support staff and extracurricular activities. Think of it like Lakota's checking account for daily expenses.

Permanent Improvement (PI) Levy

A PI levy pays for things that will last at least five years. This is like Lakota's savings account, paying for long-term needs. It helps pay for things like curriculum materials, technology and building upkeep.

The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission's (OFCC) design are not as strict as they used to be. Now, there are more options for school districts to choose from when planning renovations and new construction. 

Plus, approved projects in the Master Facilities Plan qualify for the State to reimburse Lakota for 33% of the cost.

Lakota's Master Facilities Plan (MFP) would account for inflation. Lakota's Construction Manager at Risk will ensure that the architect and builder are working within budget.

No. Lakota, and all Ohio schools, must follow the law about spending. Salaries are paid from Lakota's general operating fund, not permanent improvement or bond funds.

Lakota receives 26.5 mills from Class 1 residential/agricultural property taxes. This includes:

• Operating levy: 23.3 mills (approved at 64.14 mills)
• Permanent Improvement (PI) levy: 1.09 mills (approved at 2 mills)
• Bond levy: 2.12 mills (set each year by the County Auditor to cover debt payments)

Operating and PI levies can only collect at the amount voters approved. So, as the community grows and property values rise, the millage goes down. For example, the PI levy was originally approved at 2 mills, but now now collects at 1.09 mills, due to House Bill 920. Bond millage is different - it is adjusted each year by the county auditor to make sure debt is paid on time.

Lakota also works hard to use money responsibly. Examples include:

• Buying curriculum on a set schedule instead of whenever needed. This helps with budget planning and consistency across schools.
• Ending lease agreements and using competitive bidding to save money long-term.
• Both Superintendent Whitely and Treasurer Zink are required to approve every purchase order.
• Reducing the number of law firms Lakota uses, with only the superintendent treasurer allowed to contact them unless approved otherwise.

Enrollment projections help determine the size schools should be. When reviewing master facilities plans for approval, the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) will use its enrollment studies to determine how much square footage the State will co-fund. If buildings exceed the allotted square footage, school districts must pay for the overage through locally funded initiatives (LFIs). In those cases, the State does not provide any co-funding. 

The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) conducted an enrollment study in 2024, which forecasted a 2,000 student increase over the next 10 years. Now that the co-funding dollars are available, a new enrollment study was done using the same firm in March 2026. The most recent enrollment projection shows a decline in enrollment over the next 10 years. Because the results were so different, district leaders met with the OFCC to understand how projections from the same firm could change in just 18 months.

After meeting with the OFCC, Superintendent Ashley Whitely told the MFP committee, "The OFCC’s study only looks at single family homes. There has also been a significant decline in building permit approvals in Butler County, from 1,100 in 2024 to just 500 in 2025." The study also cited declining birth rates as part of the reason for their latest projection.

Tom Fernandez, president of Elevar Design, Lakota’s architect, told the Board, "At this point, the OFCC’s enrollment study won’t have much of an impact on the master plan because Lakota is choosing to do the work in phases. When the Board moves forward with the K-5 phase, (the OFCC) will repeat the study."

Student enrollment helps determine how much space our schools need now and in the future. Because of that, Lakota’s expected enrollment is an important part of the facilities plans we are considering. 

Although the Ohio Facility Construction Commission's (OFCC) March 2026 enrollment study shows a decline in enrollment over the next 10 years, we are still out of room for many of our elementary schools. According to the State’s guidelines for how much space each student should have, Lakota is already over capacity by more than 700 students.

Tom Fernandez, president of Elevar Design, Lakota’s architect, told the Board, "At this point, the OFCC’s enrollment study won’t have much of an impact on the master plan because Lakota is choosing to do the work in phases. When the Board moves forward with the K-5 phase, (the OFCC) will repeat the study."

Open enrollment (also called inter-district enrollment) refers to students who attend Lakota Local Schools but do not live in West Chester or Liberty townships. Because our schools have become more crowded, Lakota had not approved new open‑enrollment students for several years. The only exceptions were for staff members’ children and siblings of students who were already open enrolled.

In May 2024, the District announced that changes had been made to Administrative Guideline 5113. As part of these changes, open enrollment would is not longer available for students in grades K-6. In addition, only Lakota staff and students already in grades 7-12 as of the 2025-2026 school year would be allowed to continue. While staff members can still apply for open enrollment, applications from families who do not work for Lakota are not accepted. 

Lakota is committed to an open, honest and transparent process that has involved the community from the very beginning. Community voices continue to play a major role in shaping our Master Facilities Plan. Feedback has been collected through community meetings, focus groups, online surveys, ThoughtExchanges, one‑on‑one conversations, emails and phone calls. All of this input helps guide the Board’s decisions.

After the failed bond issue in Nov. 2025, the District held additional feedback sessions and provided another online survey so the community could share its thoughts about next steps. This information helped the Board better understand what the community values most.

Future opportunities for the community to provide input will be shared through our regular communication channels, including our website, social media pages.

One of the main goals of the feedback sessions following the Nov. 2025 bond issue was to check whether the priorities in the original plan still matched what the community felt was most important. The top themes that emerged from the feedback sessions and online survey were:

• Smaller class sizes;
• Safety and security;
• Fewer building transitions; 
• Transparency, trust and community engagement;
• Flexible, dedicated learning spaces; and
• Efficient transportation.

The Board is taking these priorities into account as it plans the next steps.

Lakota's Master Facilities Plan will affect all residents, including those who do not currently have children in the District. School facilities are public assets, funded and maintained by the community. Decisions about how buildings are updated, repaired or replaced influence long‑term operating costs, how space is used across the District and the overall condition of publicly-owned property.

Modernizing or improving facilities can also affect community infrastructure needs, such as traffic patterns and transportation efficiency. In addition, school quality and the condition of school buildings are factors commonly used by prospective homeowners when evaluating a community.

Providing students with facilities that support current educational standards is one way the District plans for future needs, both for students and for the community as a whole.

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.