BOE NEW Facilities Plan (TBSHere 081325)

[MsDandy]

The BUCK STOPS HERE ​

August 13 at 10:55 AM ·

BOE NEW Facilities Plan:
Same plan
Build New High School
Renovate the hs for jr high
NEW:
Treasurer stated-
They now have enough money to build WITHOUT THE VOTE OF THE PEOPLE
$40 million cash (our taxpayers money)
$23 million COPS loan (payback our $$)
Total cost:
$59 -$65 million all paid by Buckeye
NO VOTE NEEDED FROM COMMUNITY
Timeline:
Special BOE meeting for approval
Aug 25 - 12 days from today
Community meeting
Aug 20 - next Wed
We will post the video when it is available- probably a few days before the meeting
NO VOTE NEEDED FROM OUR COMMUNITY
$59- $65 MILLION
Thank you to CC Huttinger for attending last night’s meeting and almost every single meeting for the last 2 years
A CHANGE CANT HAPPEN WITHOUT A CHANGE!!

 

[MsDandy]

The facebook discussion as of today Aug 26th, had 39 comments and 22 shares.
Discussion comments:
Melissa Bevier Clifford
For all of you that own your home (not paid through your bank), Be expecting the Medina County Auditor letter coming soon telling you what their agents determined your property value went up by since the 2022 reappraisals. County auditor office reporting we can expect a county average of 25% increase. Your property taxes are about to jump up again. That's why Buckeye is so confident we have the cash coming in to spend $60 million without a voter approved bond levy. Best step we can take now is to rotate in new school board members who will fight to keep taxes down and that is not the two incumbents running for another term.
Melissa Bevier Clifford
Something they never bring up because it's convenient for them you know as little as possible as they make choices with our millions of tax dollars like they are playing monopoly. By digging into the financial reports, I've pin pointed where the extra millions has come from all a sudden. It is mostly from the unvoted property tax increase that happened automatically and as never seen before to all of us, and every year since the 2019 state auditor's mandated appraisal updates and reappraisals during this real estate market bubble. They don't concern themselves with the risks they are leaving mom and pop and they are proceeding like the higher tax revenues aren't at risk of going away. But something is likely to drop our district's revenue. Not only may the Ohio citizen's initiative to eliminate property taxes go through next November 2026, but the housing market bubble could crash anyway causing Buckeye revenue hardship anytime now. And these officials if still in their positions, will be on auto pilot to ask for the Emergency Operating Levy to be renewed next year
The BUCK STOPS HERE
Melissa Bevier Clifford thank you for your information. If anyone has any financial questions, Melissa is our person to ask! Thanks again- very important points when spending all our money.
Huttinger for Buckeye School Board
Last 4 year, but whose counting

Carroll Henry Weinbroer
This board obviously doesn't care what the entire community thinks. The result of the levies should tell them that if they were intelligent enough to listen vs putting their own wishes ahead of the tax payer's wishes. I believe everyone wants the kids to receive an education but very little has been presented to that end. Like many things in the world we live in now, it's all about appearances.
Vicki Heilman Potemry
Wait! They don't need a bond? They are going to build one without a new bond? Hummm?
Danny Miller
OK so what's the catch Gotta be a gimmick here

Melissa Bevier Clifford
Danny Miller So at my request, I spent one-on-one time twice with Supt. Stanton twice and once with Treasurer Donnelly over the summer. Seemed like a good time to do that since they both just experienced the last two bond levies failed miserably under their watch now. And have been watching and listening to them since they were hired. (Stanton has been here two years and Donnelly just one year. they both live in Medina). Short answer here: It is the current school board who hires them and approves their six digit salary and is their boss. And it is the school board that gives them direction as to what the "citizens desires" are. Well their bubble wants a new high school at all costs to try to match what Cloverleaf and Highland school districts now have with new High schools and small college level athletic amenities. (Nevermind they both have up to 35-yr bond and loan debts of over $110 million each and they are overtaxing their communities too). They are not concerned as to what Ohio constitution calls for as "thorough and efficient" common school. They are concerned that continuing lower enrollment will force them to downsize not just staff, but nicer extra-curricular amenities too. We may become more like minimalist Black River on the flip side. These board members scoff at that and that just wouldn't be good enough for them and their families. Sorry I am sounding tough and it may make some uncomfortable, but some of us have to speak up on these tough matters, because we will be the ones left to pick up the pieces when they all move on. Superintendent's contract is up next year. He may be gone soon, just like the merry go round of the last two since 2019 under the two current long-standing board members terms.

 

[MsDandy]

fb discussion comments continued...
Melissa Bevier Clifford:
And side note - when I make the comment about their concern of having to downsize our schools, I believe, without coming right out and saying it clearly, the building of the new HS is also serving as a marketing strategy to draw parents to Buckeye for their kids. Whether this is bringing back the private schoolers, homeschoolers, more open enrolled in from other districts, bring back our enrolled out of Buckeye (MCCC or other neighboring public schools), and certainly new district homebuyers. You get little snippets here and there when you follow as closely as I have since the first FAC process on the first bond levy ask in 2023.
Melissa Bevier Clifford:
Also, For you fathers, grandads, and uncles out there - we have an incumbent school board candidate who refers to Buckeye employees as "family" out loud at school board meetings. Well why not, she's been a school board member for 8 years and before that she was employed for a long time as superintendent assistant. I'm concerned she is too engrossed in the schools and cannot be counted on to make hard and needed financial cost cutting decisions that may cut staff even though enrollment decreasing. The last Supt. Harrison also used that word, family, when referring to the Buckeye staff to help him build loyalty among staff. He's gone now, but I saw the newer head HS principal is also using this word in one of his monthly newsletter letter to parents. Advice, make sure your kids are not getting confused with who their family is. These are confusing times for them. Adult kids and school age.
Huttinger for Buckeye School Board:
Danny Miller, I believe the gimmick is; it's easy to say let's drain our bank account and take out a loan, then when we say oh, we strapped ourselves so tight that we can't afford other capital improvements or operating costs, we go back to taxpayers for another bond or levy. And that's ok for the board and current admin, because they will be leaving that baggage to the next round of admins and board. It is truly up to the people who will be footing the bill in the long run to make sure it's a sound plan. As of last nights meeting, in which I did attend, WAY TO MUCH still needs to be considered. We need to make out voices heard any way possible, WE ARE THE BANK!!
Kevin Oleksiak :Who’s terms are up for reelection on the BOE this November?
The BUCK STOPS HERE : Kevin Oleksiak
Seth Kujat is running
Denise Piovarchy running
John Girard not running
Ballot not official until next Monday.
Kevin Oleksiak: Do we have better replacements that are running against them
The BUCK STOPS HERE : Kevin Oleksiak yes
Melissa Bevier Clifford: Kevin Oleksiak We certainly do. Kim Cecelich who runs this watchdog fb page and CC Huttinger who I've gotten to know very closely the last 3 years as we pressed against the bond levy asks.
Kevin Oleksiak: Excellent! When is Gunkelman up for reelection. Definitely need her out of there.
Cindy Ciresi Longo: Kevin Oleksiak Gunkelman definitely needs to go. She needs to stick to farming.
The BUCK STOPS HERE : Kevin Oleksiak she still has 2 more years but I’m thinking if you can get 3 new board members and not reelect her best friend she might be done sooner.
Kevin Oleksiak: Let’s make that happen
The BUCK STOPS HERE : Kevin Oleksiak yep!! Please make sure you tell your friends, family and neighbors. Stop all this stupidity!

 

[MsDandy]

The BSH : Molly Neubauer please don’t come on my page and start playing games. We had this discussion on Buckeye Community yesterday. You know exactly who runs this page. You again brought up why people are blocked. I am sure you were referring to Kristen that is extremely rude to everyone that has a different opinion. As I explained to you yesterday, I tell the truth- backed up with public records, yes my name is Kim Cecelich. I have blocked people because they have been rude and insulting to me! I was never rude back but simply stated the facts. I have every right to block anyone that attacks me or my reputation. If you truly want to have a discussion we are all open to talk through issues. Just to let you know, I was blocked from we are Buckeye too, I again did nothing wrong just had a lot of information and facts behind it.
As far as myself I say the truth, stand behind what I say and I don’t hide behind my computer.
The BSH :Molly Neubauer if I get elected, Cc and I are planning to have community meetings on day one. I will certainly invite you to those. Please keep your comments and questions about the issues. I’m not taking your bait, but I’m sure people can see why you were blocked
Jenny Emert: Kevin Oleksiak for sure
Danny Miller:So how are they paying for a $23 million COPS loan Does that come out of our pocket Should we get the vote on that And I'm not even sure what a COP's loan is
Melissa Bevier Clifford: Danny Miller I learned this. COPs are a lease-purchase agreement where Buckeye officials can decide on their own to leverage a trusted consistent revenue stream toward to pay the debt back over whatever term agreed on. So the lender officially has claim to the property until the loan debt is paid off. (Yes, they could take possession of the high school property. Similar to a mortgage on a home when it forecloses.) Buckeye has stated from last time, they would at least be able to use the annual NEXUS tax revenue which from memory I think is about $800,000/year currently. Could be anywhere up to 30 year term with amortized interest until principal paid off.) So yes, the revenue to go to the COPS does take away from other day-to-day operating expenses or upkeep of buildings we have.
Danny Miller: OK How can a Lender ( Like a financial institute) lay claim to property they have no right To mortgage considering the fact that it belongs To the people of the Buckeye district And was paid for with our taxes not by the Boe
MBC: DM, Yes this is important for taxpayers to understand more than ever before. As state statute and our Buckeye BOE bylaw policy #po0118 states "While the board has an obligation to determine and assess citizen desires, it is understood that when the citizens elect delegates to represent them in the conduct of specified educational programs, they, at the same time, endow their representatives with the authority to exercise their best judgment in determining policies, make decisions, and approving procedures for carrying out the responsibility." While there is a specific state rule that they cannot impose more tax/bond levies without voter approval they have the authority for these COP loans with certain qualified existing revenues.
MBC: Schools were never intended to be holding on to this much excess carryover cash. This is a new unprecedented issue since the housing market spiked in 2020 after the 2019 auditor appraisal updates and every year until it some how gets corrected. State legislators have the HB 335 on Property Tax Relief republicans are pursuing. read more here https://ohiohouse.gov/members/david...eliver-billions-in-property-tax-relief-133665
DM:Taking out a frivolous loan to build an unnecessary school in this economy Does not sound like good judgment Of course that's just my opinion
MBC: DM When we have enough information to know that our school board reps don't align with our virtues it is our responsibility to replace them by supporting candidates who do and getting not just us but our circle of influence to cast our vote. Incumbents have an easy time getting back in in recent times. Let's step up and see this through. Oh I'm pumped! Thanks for the discussion.

 

[MsDandy]

DM: You do plan on running right
Huttinger for Buckeye School Board: Danny Miller, the BOE is elected to represent the community so it has the power to speak on our behalf and commit us to lots of things. I personally don't like what their saying, it doesn't represent what I consider to be prudent spending. I would love for Melissa to run too!
MBC: DM, No maybe in a few years though, with all I've learned, like Kim and CC, I should put it to use that way. No, it means alot to me to run for fiscal officer of Litchfield coming up in two years though. I'm also a 1990 Buckeye grad, my kids went there and I wish for them to be able to afford their first home here, and my folks are still here living out their lives in Litchfield. Like Kim and CC we care alot about all generations living in our school district. I'm backing Kim Cecelich (who administers this fb page) and CC Huttinger who I've worked along side volunteering for the grassroots and informal network of Advocates for Buckeye Community networking group. They will have the hard conversations no matter how uncomfortable some people get. Too much at stake. Can's been kicked down the road too long.
MBC: DM, Yes, Benjamin Franklin who spoke so strongly on finances and the founding fathers would be rolling in their graves. We need a new or renovated Junior High for just two or three grades. We have a fine, much larger high school that is only 50 yrs old and should stay as the high school. But goodness gracious make updates, roof replacements, and mechanical replacements already! Most things haven't been updated since I've graduated 35 years ago!
MBC: DM, I may know alot about the recent facilities master planning/buildings topic and finances of Buckeye, but these two candidates, Kim Cecilich and CC Huttinger, have way more first hand experience and insight with Buckeye. Also unmatched concern and enthusiasm for serving our K-12 education system. School board members get a maximum of $3000/year for all the meetings and extra time they give. These ladies will give their all to it.