Funding
How Will Lakota Fund the Plan?
At its June 9 meeting, the Lakota Board of Education unanimously approved placing a 2.2 mill bond issue on the November 2026 ballot to fund the Master Facilities Plan (MFP).
If approved by voters, collections would not begin until calendar year 2029. This 2.2 mill bond issue would replace a current 2.23 mill bond that expires in 2028. This timing means property owners would not see an increase in taxes to support the MFP.
State Co-Funding
The Board of Education has enrolled in Ohio's Expedited Local Partnership Program (ELPP), and the District will receive 33% state reimbursement for work slated for the MFP. That means for every dollar spent on state-approved projects, the State will reimburse Lakota 33 cents.
No Increase in Taxes
The total cost of phase one is estimated at $300 million. The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) would contribute $77 million. This lowers the local share to $223 million.
Fast Facts
- 2013 was the last time voters approved an operating and Permanent Improvement (PI) levy for Lakota.
- The 2013 levy was forecasted to last five years but is still funding the District in 2026, 13 years later.
- 2005 was the last time voters approved a bond issue for Lakota.