BELPRE — The Belpre City Schools Board of Education is taking steps to place a proposed bond levy on the ballot for the third time next spring.

Whether that measure eventually succeeds or fails, the board is also moving forward on a pair of repair and demolition projects that have topped their list of priorities over months of discussion.

In November, Belpre voters rejected a proposed bond issue and levy sought by the Belpre City School District with the goal of consolidating the school district’s facilities onto one campus under a proposed PreK-12 building. The measure also failed in the May primary.

The board discussed other options, including seeking a smaller levy to raise money for repair projects, which Superintendent Jeff Greenley described as the “bandaid” option. That option would address needed repairs over a 10-year period but by the end of that time would leave the district still with the same aging buildings and no overall improvements or upgrades associated with a more up-to-date facility.

The board approved a resolution requesting state consents to issue bonds of the school district in an amount not to exceed $42,890,000 and to submit the questions of such a bond issue to electors. The board also approved a resolution of necessity for the bond issue.

Greenley said Thursday’s vote is just the first step in the process of putting the levy on the May 2023 ballot. The district will need to submit information to the Washington County Auditor to get the final millage numbers and will need to vote on those at its January meeting to officially place the measure on the ballot.

Due to assessment changes which will be in effect by then, the levy request will be slightly higher than November but the impact on taxpayers will be slightly lower, Greenley said. The total amount requested will rise from $42,600,000 to $42,890,000 over 32 years.

Greenley said the numbers are not yet finalized by the county auditor’s office, but the BCS administration believes the millage on the May 2023 ballot will be an estimated 9.57 mills, down from the 10.99 mills requested in November. For taxpayers, the amount raised per month per $100,000 in valuation would be an estimated $27.91, down from $32.05.

The state contribution could also increase, from $22.3 million to $24.3 million, he said.

Regardless of the levy’s eventual fate, the school board wants to take move forward on a pair of projects on the Belpre High School campus and approved motions to that effect.

The board previously approved repairs to the track at Belpre High School, which cannot be used for meets or instructional periods due to liability issues. However, tests have shown that the problems are greater than originally anticipated and will cost more. The board approved a resolution for additional site preparation on the track, not to exceed $300,000.

The board also approved a motion to seek Requests for Proposals for the abatement of asbestos and the demolition of the old elementary school on the BHS property. The unused building is continuing to deteriorate and is a liability.

District Treasurer Lance Erlwein said the track and elementary demolition will be funded by permanent improvement funds set aside by the board previously as part of its five-year forecast.

In other business, the board approved Jan. 5 at 5 p.m. for its organizational meeting, followed by its regular January meeting. The meetings will be held at the Stone Administration Building/Early Learning Center. The board also approved Brenda Church as President Pro-Tem for the organizational meeting.

The board gave Greenley approval to begin the process of adding another staff member at Belpre High School to address a gap in the district’s STEM/career offerings.

The board approved district sub rates beginning July 1, 2023, including: Teacher, $110 regular/$120 retired; Secretary, $13.50; Cook, $13.50; Parapro, $13.50; Custodian, $14.50; Maintenance, $14.50; and Bus Driver, $17 regular/$18 retired bus driver with current license.

The board also heard a presentation by Christopher Lohr, collections manager with the Belpre Historical Society. As part of the society’s focus on education and historical preservation, Lohr said the society is extending a no-cost annual membership to all teaching faculty in Belpre City Schools for calendar year 2023.

Lohr said the membership will include admission-free access, with presentation of school ID, to the Farmers Castle Museum in Belpre and its resources, including archives, research assistance and guidance.

“We have extended our hours and are now open every Saturday, year-round, from 1-4 p.m. and, as always, by appointment,” he said.

Wayne Towner can be reached at wtowner@newsandsentinel.com