June 13, 2023—The Shaker Heights Board of Education has approved a millage rate and wording for a November 2023 ballot issue that will fund the District’s Long-Term Facilities Plan, which the Board approved last month. The District will seek:
- A 6.4-mill bond issue to raise $121,190,000 for construction and improvement of facilities
- An additional 0.5-mill permanent improvement levy
- A 3-mill operating levy to help pay for an expanded PreK program
The passage of the “resolution of necessity” is a legal requirement to place the issue on the ballot and to receive co-funding from the state. The plan will be segmented into two separate ballot issues, with the bond issue for the first segment appearing on the November 2023 ballot.
The first segment includes renovating Ludlow to accommodate an expanded PreK program; renovating and expanding Woodbury as a Middle Years Building (Grades 6-8); renovating Boulevard, Lomond, Mercer and Onaway and converting them to include Grade 5; building an addition to Fernway to accommodate Grade 5. The second segment will be a future ballot issue and will address the High School.
This vision for the District's future includes an expansion of the District’s current PreK program with the goal of ensuring that all Shaker Heights students have access to a high quality preschool education.
“The Master Facilities Plan will impact every student in our District,” said Superintendent Dr. David Glasner. “This is a historical moment for our District, and I want to thank the Board for bringing us to this crucial juncture.”
Creation of the plan was guided by four basic principles: provide our students and staff modern, safe and comfortable learning and teaching environments; improve educational experiences by creating collaborative and flexible spaces; reduce transitions for students from building to building; and provide increased safety and security for our students and staff.