In 2001, the Mad River Local School District financed the construction of all new school buildings with a 23-year 5.22 mill bond levy. 2024 is the last year of payments on the bonds. Since the bonds will be paid off in 2024, taxpayers will no longer have to pay the bond levy after 2024. There is also a .5 mill Facilities Maintenance Levy that was assessed during the life of the bonds that will expire at the end of 2024. 

While it is great that the bonds will be paid off this year, the district is experiencing large repair and maintenance costs as the buildings age and things that came with the new buildings begin to wear out. For example, a new roof for Stebbins High School cost $1.7 million. An air conditioner chiller at Spinning Hills will cost $250,000. The four elementary buildings need new shingles for the roof at a cost of $82,000 each.
The district had a Permanent Improvement Levy before the new buildings were constructed, but it was dropped when the Bond Levy began in 2001. Now that the bonds will be paid off and the Bond Levy will expire, the district is asking residents to pass a new Permanent Improvement Levy of 2.9 mills, so there is adequate funding to maintain our beautiful school buildings. Permanent Improvement Levy funds can only be spent on capital improvements and equipment and cannot be spent on salaries or other operating expenses of the district. The levy request will appear on the November 5th, 2024 ballot. Our school buildings are pillars of the community, and we want to make sure they are safe, well maintained and last as long as possible!