Superintendent: Discussion about aging Troy city schools needs to move forward

The leaders of Troy City Schools, who saw voters last fall defeat a bond issue to build two elementary buildings, began Tuesday night planting seeds for renewed discussion on the fate of aging elementary buildings.

Superintendent Eric Herman, at a school board work session, provided the board with a packet of information about the size, age, available space, detailed assessments of conditions and needs at each of the district's nine buildings.

The information, he said, was intended to help focus as "our conversation needs to move forward."

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Much of the information was shared in 2017 as district leaders reviewed facilities options, convened community meetings and sought approval of a 4.61-mill bond issue for two new schools to house prekindergarten through grade six students on land the district proposed to buy off Ohio 55 at Nashville Road.

The funding plan included 33 percent state funding. The bond issue request was rejected by 60 percent of voters who participated in the November election.

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"In my mind, you have older buildings and at some time have to do something about them," Herman said Tuesday.

The district's permanent improvement levy, which generates about $700,000 a year, can be used for projects such as roof or boiler work each year.

"It is just not enough" for the growing needs, he said.

District Treasurer Jeff Price said another $225,000 to $250,000 is being used each year for maintenance-type projects in addition to the permanent improvements projects.