The Board approved a $115 million levy for Phase 1 of the facilities plan in a 4-1 vote during the Board of Education meeting March 11.
The initial cost projection, outlined at the March Board meeting, allocated $82 million for the new middle school, $24 million for facility repairs, $4 million for stadium improvements and $5 million for turf at Maryland and Montrose Elementary Schools.
Board of Education member Dr. Jonathan Baker voted no at the March meeting and proposed a $110 million levy, suggesting turf be considered in a future phase of the facilities plan.
At the Board meeting April 8, district treasurer Kyle Smith outlined an updated cost progression.
The $5 million previously earmarked for turf fields is now allocated to surface improvement at Maryland and Montrose.
According to the Bexley City Schools website, the Board agreed to include the funding needed to improve fields at Maryland and Montrose rather than making a final decision regarding the addition of turf at the schools.
The Phase 1 levy is a hybrid tax, incorporating a $29.25 million property tax and a $85.75 million income tax.
At the March meeting, senior Lily Howes, student representative to the Board of Education, presented feedback from a survey of high school students she conducted regarding the Phase 1 facilities plan and the current state of the Cassingham Complex.
“Overwelmingly, the most prevalent topic that people had concerns with was congestion or lack of space,” she said.
Various teachers and community members spoke at public comment. Bexley parent Andrew Mills said he is not convinced by the benefits of the current facilities plan.
“I think the construction of Phase 1 will have deleterious effects on the health, the well-being and the educational opportunities for all of our students,” he said.
During public comment, Facilities Advisory Committee member Sara Beam said she supports the new middle school because of its location and easy access.
Beam added the middle school design has not been finalized yet, which means there are still opportunities to create usable green space around the new building.
Middle school Spanish teacher Maria Zeman said the environment of some classrooms is impractical for students and staff.
“If we need to have a meeting, there’s no space to have a meeting to get on a Zoom call,” she said. “I’ve had to put headphones on and do them in as quiet of a hallway as I can find.”
Howes said she is confident community input will continue to be welcomed if the facilities levy is passed.
“I think the district has made a sustained commitment over the past four years to include a lot of voices,” she explained.
Board of Education member Victoria Powers said building a new middle school will improve learning while addressing numerous other educational issues.
“Resolving dark classrooms is just one of the many reasons that we need to move forward with this plan,” she said.
Board of Education Vice President Patrick King said the facilities plan will provide necessary improvements throughout the district.
“In order to keep those current extracurriculars and sports, we have to create new spaces,”he said. “It’s not a question of should we, it’s a question of we need to do this.”
Published and digitized April 2026.
