The Anthony Wayne Board of Education has voted to place a 2.6-mill Bond Issue and a 2.9-mill Operational Levy on the November 7, 2023 ballot.

The information below is provided to help District stakeholders understand the District’s intended use of the funds generated by these two ballot initiatives. If you have questions that are not answered here, please send them to [email protected]. 

What is an Operational Levy?
The funds raised by an operational levy are used to provide learning opportunities to students and support the day-to-day functions of a district, including the purchase of textbooks, computers, equipment, supplies, utilities, insurance, buses, gasoline, etc.

Yes. Qualifying, low-income senior citizens, permanently and totally disabled Ohioans, and others who receive the homestead exemption tax credit can exempt up to $25,000 of the market value of their homes from all property taxes. Visit the Ohio Department of Taxation’s website to learn more about the homestead exemption.

*Anthony Wayne Local Schools has the lowest amount of effective millage in Lucas County. 

When did taxpayers last approve a bond levy?

Voters approved a $44 million bond issue in November 2016, which allowed for the construction of the new Whitehouse Primary building, the addition of labs/learning spaces in each school, security enhancements and office improvements in all schools, the addition of the auxiliary gym and commons areas at AWHS and other updates.

• All-day, everyday kindergarten requires additional classrooms.

• Increased enrollment at Waterville and Whitehouse would lead to redistricting if additional classroom space is not available.

• The District wants to provide a safe learning environment that meets the ever-changing educational needs of our students and instructional needs of our staff.

• Delaying maintenance projects adds to repair/replacement costs down the road.

The new bond issue is estimated to be ~2.6 mills, generating $70.8 million for the District.

The new bond issue would be for 37 years. Collections would begin in January 2024 and expire in 2061.

This bond levy is expected to cost property owners approximately $49 per $100,000 of home value per year, or 13 cents per day per $100,000 of home value.

Note: If approved, the bond levy would have cost property owners $91 per year per $100,000 of home value, but a previously-approved bond issue will be expiring, resulting in a reduced overall tax. Additionally, as property values continue to rise, and new construction takes place, the overall millage amount should decrease for each taxpayer over time.

The money generated by the bond issue will be used to complete deferred maintenance projects and provide for new and/or improved educational and athletic facilities for students. These projects were identified for completion following a recent facilities assessment and community surveys conducted by The Collaborative as a part of the Facilities Master Planning Process.

Deferred Maintenance Projects 
(Estimated Cost of ~$18,434,689)

The deferred maintenance projects recommended for completion by The Collaborative during the District’s recent facilities assessment, include:

• roof and masonry repairs, 

• HVAC, plumbing, electrical and repairs and upgrades, 

• technology improvements

• ADA compliance requirement updates, and 

• other repairs

These improvements will take place at Anthony Wayne High School, AW Junior High, Fallen Timbers Middle School, Monclova Primary, Waterville Primary and the Transportation Building. 

Building Additions & Renovations
(Estimated Cost of ~$30,190,857)

In response to increasing enrollment in some areas of the District, accommodating the community’s request for all-day, everyday kindergarten and providing improved educational opportunities for students, the bond issue would support the following building additions and renovations:

• Classroom additions and Waterville Primary and Whitehouse Primary

• Expand the kitchen and cafeteria areas at Fallen Timbers Middle School and AW Junior High

• Add classroom space and expand the band/choir room at AW Junior High

• Add an additional lecture/performance area, storage area and potential classroom for the AWHS performing arts programs

Athletic Renovations and Improvements
(Estimated Cost of ~$22,195,951)

The bond levy funds will also support needed repairs and improvements to the District’s athletic facilities, including:

• The construction of a new multi-use stadium for football, soccer, track and lacrosse

• Renovated softball facilities

• Overall site improvements to alleviate floodplain issues

More information about the facilities assessment and a full list of needed improvements can be found on the Facilities Master Planning page.

Why does Anthony Wayne need more funding for operations?
There are several factors influencing the District’s need for additional operational funds including:

• There are no expected federal funding increases and low expected funding increases from the state, despite the increased student need for support services and the ever-rising costs for equipment, materials and other everyday items. These funding concerns put increased pressure on school district budgets.

• The exhaustion of ESSER (Federal Funds) by the end of the 2023-24 school year. These funds support programs and services that currently support student learning and personal growth.

• Significant increases in special education student numbers and costs. The District needed to hire additional teachers to address the needs of students and meet state requirements.

• Supporting the District’s plan to hire:

  • additional teachers to provide all-day, everyday kindergarten,

  • three high school core subject teachers to fill positions that were left open due to expected funding challenges, and

  • an additional teacher at Fallen Timber Middle School to support an increase number of 5th grade students

• Supporting the District’s desire to provide additional safety and security services for students and staff.

The District intends to use the additional operational funds to support the following programs and positions:

How much money does the operational levy generate for the District?

The new operational levy is expected to be 2.9 mills, generating approximately $3,874,892 annually for the District.

This would be a permanent operational levy.

It has been 10 years since the District requested a new operational levy. Voters last approved a new operational levy in 2013.

This operational levy is expected to cost property owners approximately $101.50 per $100,000 of home value per year, or 28 cents per day per $100,000 of home value.