This document advocates for voting "yes" on Issue 86, a bond levy to address overcrowding and safety issues at Olmsted Falls High School. The school was built for 850 students but now has 1,200, with enrollment projected to nearly double capacity by 2018. Modular classrooms are in use but compromise security. A study found the music room and common areas exceed safe occupancy. The $15 million bond would construct 9 new classrooms, upgrade security systems, and expand the cafeteria and band/choir rooms. A community survey found safety was the top concern and residents would support a bond to improve the high school.

1. Vote YES
Issue 86
for
School Safety
“86” Overcrowding &
Vote Yes for Safety
at
Olmsted Falls High School

2. WHAT is a Bond
WHO does this benefit?
Bond (in layman's terms)
A bond generates money for large (typically
construction based) projects. Similar to a
building loan of a house.
Who benefits from ISSUE 86: Bond Levy
ALL 2016 graduates (and on) of Olmsted
Falls High School. A community that prizes
students’ and staff’s safety.

3. Overcrowding at the
High School?
Olmsted Falls High School was built for 850
students.
High School is now home to 1,200 students.
By 2018, enrollment at the high school will
be nearly double what is was built to serve.

4. Overcrowding
Puts Tradition of Safety at Risk
Modular (trailer) Classrooms designed to
band-aide overcrowding now serving over
900 students daily.
This increase of modular usage is leading to
door security being compromised, and
increase risk of crowds of students passing
between building.

5. Overcrowding
Puts Tradition of Safety at Risk
Participation in programs, enrollment, and
general use pushing safe occupancy in music
room, and common areas to safe tipping point.
Short and overcrowded lunch periods rolling
throughout the day to accommodate what space
cannot.
Lack of storage for music and other programs is
creating hallway evacuation hazards.

6. How Were these Risks Identified?
Independent security firm conducted a
study in 2012.

7. What Will this Bond Do?
Build 9 classrooms within the main high
school building.
Upgrade safety and surveillance technology.
Construct and expand spaces such as
cafeteria and band/choir rooms.

8. Construction of 9 Classrooms
Allows for removal of the modular
trailers and keeps all the students
INSIDE the main building all day,
every day.

9. Safety & Surveillance Upgrades
Updated security system
 Access control system (internal and
external cameras)—currently there are no
internal cameras
 Panic alarms
 Better lock down capabilities
 Exterior lighting

10. Construct / Expand Spaces I
Expand Band/Choir Room: Current space
is 4,794 sq. ft. Several thousand sq. ft. less
than adequate for occupancy.
 Eliminate equipment in halls that
creates safety issues
 Ability to add appropriate exits in case
of emergency

11. Construct / Expand Spaces II
Expand/repurpose cafeteria space:
Current configuration has this largely
populated area as the first spot upon entry.
 Enable state recommended three
lunch periods vs. six.
 Reduce hallway and evacuation safety risks
caused by overcrowding.

12. Total Cost of Project
Construction for safety!
Total Cost of Project--$15 million
 Construct 9 new classrooms within the
building.
 Up-to-date safety and surveillance
technology.
 Construct and expand spaces such as
cafeteria and band/choir rooms.

13. What's the Cost for Me?
Approx. Value
$100,000……………….…………………………$5.25/month
$200,000……………….…………………...…$10.50/month
$300,000……………………....................$15.75/month

14. Why Now?

15. Why Now?
Issue of overcrowding, escalating.
Board survey of the community says:
this is not just school need but shared
community concern.

16. The Community Agrees
Survey, December of 2012
 Parents Surveyed said Safe schools
was their #1 concern.
 Survey respondents made several
recommendations.

17. The Community Agrees
People value education in our community
People said they will invest in safety
68% of those voters randomly sampled were
very likely to somewhat likely to support a bond
issue for safety at OFHS

18. By a 3 to 1 margin, voters prefer better than
average schools that cost more than average
schools with low taxes.
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
Not Sure
In between (Vol.)
Above Average/More taxes
Taxes low/Average schools
6%
3%
67%
23%
Q11 WHICH STATEMENT DO YOU AGREE WITH MORE: IT IS MORE
IMPORTANT TO KEEP TAXES LOW EVEN IF IT MEANS THE SCHOOLS
WILL BE AVERAGE OR IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO HAVE A BETTER
THAN AVERAGE SCHOOL SYSTEM EVEN IF IT MEANS PAYING MORE
TAXES

19. Two-thirds indicated a willingness to support a
bond issue to improve the high school.
0% 20% 40% 60%
Not Sure
Not Likely At All
Not Very Likely
Somewhat Likely
Very Likely
2%
19%
11%
32%
36%
Q13 LIKELIHOOD OF VOTING FOR THE SCHOOL BOND ISSUE IF THE SCHOOLS
WERE TO PUT A BOND ISSUE ON THE BALLOT TO ADD ON TO THE HIGH
SCHOOL AND TO IMPROVE BUILDING SECURITY

20. Vote, Vote “Yes”, and advocate
There is a need to improve the Safety at
OUR High School for the students, and staff,
today and tomorrow.
Vote Yes on 86!!