Ashtabula Area City Schools

The Auditor of State has established new guidelines with regard to school levies and how information can be shared from Ohio school districts to local communities for ballot issues. It is important that Ashtabula Area City Schools provide the facts for upcoming ballot issues. 

 

The information highlighted on this page is intended to assist our community members in making an informed decision.

 

 

What is on the ballot?  

 

The Ashtabula Area City School District Board of Education has placed a 3.82 mill levy on the November 4 ballot for the public’s consideration, which, if approved by voters would generate funds to support the rebuilding of Lakeside High School which suffered a roof collapse in the unprecedented snow event in late November 2024.  AACS has been working with the insurance company regarding a settlement. In order to proceed with reconstruction work, the bond issue would authorize bonds to fund and commence work now. Otherwise the district does not possess the funds to move forward and would be required to wait until the claim is litigated or settled, which could delay reconstruction for years. 

 

The Board does not have to issue the full ballot amount if insurance settlement proceeds cover a higher amount of the reconstruction costs at the time the construction contract is executed with the CMR.

What is the difference between a levy and a bond?  

 

SCHOOL BOND:  A school bond issue funds major building and renovation projects, is paid back over time through property taxes, and remains separate from the district’s general operating budget. 

 

SCHOOL LEVY:  School levies  are crucial financial measures that local school districts often rely on to fund their educational programs and operations. These levies are typically presented as ballot initiatives to voters within a school district, seeking approval for additional property taxes or renewing existing ones. Revenue generated from these levies plays a vital role in supporting various aspects of the education system, including teacher salaries, classroom resources, extracurricular activities, and facility maintenance

 

 

 The bond proceeds can only be used for the purposes of reconstructing, repairing, and improving Lakeside High School; furnishing and equipping the same and improving the

sites thereof.  Bond proceeds cannot be used at any other school facility.

 

 

• The district was insured through Liberty Mutual Insurance under a Property Protector Policy in the amount of $232,851,001 with an additional $1,000,000 for Extra Expense. 
• The insurance claim is $56,384,528, well below the coverage limit.
• The deductible under the Property Protector Policy was $5,000.
• All insurance coverages were in full effect at the time of the high school roof collapse. 

• The district has met with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission to request assistance.  The district was advised to follow-up with OFCC once the insurance matter is settled.

• The current high school building was built for 1,500 students.
• The footprint of the new academic wing will be reduced and sized according to current enrollment trends.

If approved, what would it cost property owners?  

 

The district will ONLY issue bonds IF bonds are needed.  Currently, (as of September 24th) the updated amount needed is 2.76 mils.  If approved, the bond would cost property owners within the district about $97 annually per $100,000 of appraised value, per the Ashtabula County Auditor's Office.  See the chart below which explains the cost based scenarios if the district were to settle prior to election day.  

 

    2.76 mils for each $1.00 of taxable value of the auditors appraised value: 

 

    Home Value                                               Full                                      Half                                              Quarter

                                                               ($30.4M need)                      ($15.2M need)                                ($7.6M need) 

     

 

 

If the bond fails, the district will experience further delay of returning students to the high school.   Work cannot start without the funds in a Board account or on the way to a Board account, as a certificate of funds is required by Ohio law for the construction contract.

 

How can I find information about voting? 

 

Election Day is Nov. 4, 2025. Please visit the Ashtabula County Board of Elections