To the editor:

Talkin’ to a community member about the Salem School Levy:

Q: Why is this levy so important?

A: There are two important issues. Safety and savings. Our buildings are safe, but they can be safer. A new K-8 building provides state of the art doors, windows, and technology to help keep our students and staff safe. Having the presence of a school resource officer in one building rather than floating around to three separate buildings would be invaluable. A centralized location will not only improve overall security but also drastically improve drop off and pick up times before and after school with increased space. It would also create more space inside the buildings as all three schools currently fall short of the average classroom size of 900 square feet recommended by the state of Ohio.

Q: But what about the financial savings part?

A: With the help of the state of Ohio ($38 million), the recent generous gift of the Salem Community Foundation ($10 million), and local utilities and commercial contributions ($3.7 million), taxpayers will only be responsible for approximately 15% of the overall cost of the new $60 million building. In contrast, a school district in Mahoning County is also currently pursuing a new building and is seeking 82% responsibility from the taxpayers.

Q: How would that affect the median $100K home in Salem?

A: In the first 10 years, it will cost approximately $96 a year or $8 a month. In the subsequent 27 years, it will decrease to $77 a year or $6.50 a month. Those who qualify for homestead exemption will approximately pay $72 a year ($6 a month) for the first 10 years followed by approximately $58 a year ($5 a month) in the final 27 years.

Q: What about the current buildings?

A: Reilly Elementary is over 95 years old and Buckeye Elementary is over 75 years old. I would love to see these buildings last forever, but it’s not practical. In contrast, the former 4th Street School operated for almost 80 years (1974) and the Columbia Street School for almost 75 years (1953). Prospect School lasted 110 years (2006) and unfortunately currently sits in dire straits on the west side of town. Southeast Elementary is over 55 years old and plans to be re-purposed. We have got the most out of these buildings to literally last a lifetime.

Q: They look great from the outside. Do they really need to be replaced?

A: Yes. The administration and maintenance crews have done a phenomenal job maintaining what they can. However, there are many issues they cannot overcome. Several years ago, a side of Reilly School had bricks fall on the then newly-installed track. Plumbing and water pressure continue to present issues not only at Reilly, but also at Buckeye School. Furthermore, Buckeye is at full capacity and extremely overcrowded, requiring space for additional teachers and support staff and services. Many teachers are on carts because of no available space while the music teacher is currently housed in a closet. The stage at Buckeye has been converted to a teachers’ lounge due to denial of space. Students are unable to have specials such as music, art, or library outside of their designated classroom. There is also an inadequate number of restrooms for both staff and students. At both Buckeye and Reilly, the regulation of heat is a continuous problem throughout the year, where oftentimes it is extremely cold or extremely hot, with cold air frequently blowing out of old registers during the winter months. Lastly, and maybe most importantly, these buildings lack state-of-the-art security features and communication tools to help keep our students safe.

Q: Wow, I had no idea about some of those issues. What about for members of the community who don’t have any children? Why should they vote for a new building?

A: I would encourage them to support the levy in hopes of providing their grandkids or their friends’ kids or grandkids with a state-of-the-art learning environment that will provide growth for the community they call home. A strong community is centered around a strong school district and a new building could gravitate families to move or keep their families in Salem.

Q: I know the new building will be located near Southeast School. Why aren’t there pictures of the new building?

A: There are some nice possible designs that have been drawn and can be found on the levy website, www.voteforsalem.com. However, until the levy passes, the state will not allow formal designs to be drawn.

Q: Why is it going to be a K-8 building instead of a K-6 building?

A: According to the state of Ohio, it must be a K-8 building to receive a new kitchen and gymnasium. Currently, the high school is the only kitchen able to prepare food. With a new building, food will no longer have to be shipped to each school daily and students running out of food or receiving a cold meal will be avoided.

Q: What will happen to the top floor of the high school where the junior high was mainly located?

A: Space used by the junior high will provide storage, rooms for study halls, and new locations for classrooms currently in use. It would also allow the district the possibility of adding career and technical programs. And remember, prior to 2007, the building was solely used for grades 9-12.

Q: Why not renovate these buildings?

A: It’s just not cost effective. The state of Ohio determined that it would be more cost efficient to build new than to renovate. For instance, it would cost approximately $3 million for central air to be installed in all the elementary buildings. Comparing that to the $9 million taxpayer responsibility for a brand-new K-8 building is rather glaring. With a major renovation, students would also be displaced and taxpayers would be on the hook for 100% of the cost.

Q: Will a new building correlate with improved student learning?

A: A new building will provide more space, which will lead to more resources and flexibility for students and staff alike. Students will also have the opportunity to remain in the same building for a longer period of time. Currently, students experience building transitions from 2nd to 3rd grade, 4th to 5th grade, and 6th to 7th grade. Being centrally located in the same building from K-8 will help students feel more comfortable and grounded while also meeting the educational needs they face in the 21st century.

Q: Do we really need this? I really love these buildings…

A: I love these buildings too. I went to Reilly. I went to Southeast. I went to the old junior high (my grandparent’s old high school) and my mother taught at Prospect School for over 30 years. But how much longer we can expect these current buildings to last? Will we ever get this amount of financial help again? What will our buildings look like in 10 years? 20 years? Our current buildings have issues that lack supporting student learning in the 21st century. Look around. Every school in Columbiana County has had a new school (or multiple schools) constructed or completely remodeled since 2000. The last one in Salem? Southeast in 1968.

Q: What will happen to the buildings?

A: The Ohio Facility Commission has built into the $60 million budget to abate and demolish the old building if the district chooses. Buckeye will most likely get torn down. It would be great to develop some new housing in a great neighborhood. Reilly will also most likely get torn down, however, can be repurposed if someone is willing to pay for it. If torn down, imagine the possibilities of what could be put in its place to further enhance the already beautiful stadium? Southeast will be repurposed.

Q: Is the high school going to be torn down?

A: No, not anytime soon. Actually, the school district will receive the same 66% rate from the state for the next 37 years. Just in time for 36 years from now when the high school turns 100 years old.

Q: Why will the Salem Community Foundation contribute $10 million only if the levy is passed?

A: The Salem Community Foundation’s $10 million donation is earmarked specifically for the construction of a new educational building. The community must first vote and pass the levy for the new K-8 building so there is an actual building to donate toward. The state also requires the district to have all monies in hand prior to committing their share.

Q: What if the levy doesn’t pass?

A: We will still have to pass renewal levies to maintain the old buildings. Furthermore, the deal from the state goes away and taxpayers will be responsible for 100% of any future monies needed.

Q: Okay final question. Why does passing this levy mean so much to you?

A: As a fourth-generation member of this community, I want to see this community strive for generations to come. I truly appreciate the history of this town just as much as anyone. However, I can’t let the love of buildings and history outweigh the safety and opportunities a new K-8 building would provide my current children (age 6 and age 3) and hopefully, my grandchildren. I, among others, take great pride in being from Salem. Our students and community deserve a safe and healthy learning environment and having a centralized K-8 building would be extremely beneficial in so many ways. The city of Salem deserves the absolute best, and this provides a great opportunity at a discounted price. We need to honor those from the past by preserving our community and students for the future.

Matt Mowery,

Salem