20 • The Beacon April 17, 2025
Look over information on trio of key county ballot items
The Beacon chose to feature three key items that will appear on voters’ ballots for the Tuesday, May 6 primary election.
River View schools levy( renewal)
A renewal of a tax for the benefit of River View Local School District for the purpose of providing funds for permanent improvements that the county auditor estimates will collect $ 425,000 annually, at a rate not exceeding 1.8 mills for each $ 1 of taxable value, which amounts to $ 20 for each $ 100,000 of the county auditor’ s appraised value, for 5 years, commencing in 2025, first due in calendar year 2026.
When did this levy last appear on the ballot? This permanent improvement levy for RVLSD was first passed in November 1994. It started collecting
1.8 mills in 1995. It now collects at. 57 mills meaning $ 25 on a $ 100,000 home.
What are funds used for? The permanent improvement funds are used for three topics under Ohio law. 1. Transportation: The district purchases two to three buses each year to provide for students and families. One bus cost $ 139,000. When the levy was first passed in 1994 a bus cost $ 35,000. 2. Maintenance and capital improvements to buildings and grounds. With older buildings this fund is in constant use to maintain and fix older buildings. 3. Technology. Each year the district purchases new Chromebooks for two grades, kindergarten and seventh. The district also tries to maintain staff computers and systems using this fund.
Information was provided
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The Beacon chose to feature three key items that will appear on voters’ ballots for the Tuesday, May 6 primary election.
by Chuck Rinkes, River View Local School District Superintendent.
Coshocton City school new facilities bond issue
Shall bonds be issued by the Coshocton City School District for the purpose of constructing, renovating, repairing and improving school facilities, including constructing a new middle / high school and including under a program of the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission; furnishing and equipping the same; improving the sites thereof; and acquiring real estate and interest therein in the principal amount of $ 23,300,000, to be repaid annually over a maximum period of 37 years, and an annual levy of property taxes be made outside of the ten-mill limitation, estimated by the county auditor to average over the repayment period of the bond issue 5.2 mills for each $ 1 of taxable value, which amounts to $ 182 for each $ 100,000
of the county auditor’ s appraised value, commencing in 2025, first due in calendar year 2026, to pay the annual debt charges on the bonds, and to pay debt charges on any notes issued in anticipation of those bonds?
Why now? How old are current buildings? What grades would be housed in the new school? This is part two of a plan the district entered into with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission. The first part was to close and combine neighborhood elementary buildings and build Coshocton Elementary School. The second part is to address the deteriorating conditions at Coshocton High School. The pandemic and district leadership changes delayed phase two, but now that community surveys have been completed, and community meeting held the district is ready to move forward.
The current Coshocton High School was built in 1969, more than 55 years ago, for ninth through 12 graders, but now includes seventh and eighth graders. It’ s no longer designed for the needs of today’ s students. Staff rated the building’ s condition at just 2.6 out of 5 stars. Students deserve better – a clean, safe, and inspiring place to learn and grow. This bond gives the district the chance to bring the school into the 21st century.
Where would the new school be built? Would parts of the current school be preserved? If the bond issue passes a new building for sixth through 12th graders would be built along Cambridge Road just above where the school sits now.
See ELECTION on 21
National Infant Immunization Week( April 21-28, 2025)
The Center for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend that children stay on track with their well-child appointments and routine vaccinations. On-time vaccination is critical to provide protection against potentially life-threatening diseases.
Contact the Maternal and Child Health Center to keep your child healthy and up-to-date on routine childhood immunizations.
( 740) 622-2999 | Tuesday-Friday, 8am to 4pm