Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

School sites propsed

From the first option it appears the sites are Sycamore Creek and the North H.S. Site. Other two options just state 2 new elementaries but I'm assuming it would be the same sites since the land is already donated/acquired.

From the Lancaster Eagle Gazette:

The millage for the proposals will be determined by the Fairfield County auditor. The three options the Board of Education decided to continue to discuss were:

A $55 million bond issue -- with $2 million being delayed for two years to save taxpayers money -- that will allow a 750-student elementary school to be built on the 17 acres owned by the district at Sycamore Creek. Also included in the proposal is building a 750-pupil elementary school on the Pickerington High School North land and a 750-student middle school.

A $36 million bond issue that allows the two elementaries and a pre-school to be built.

A $38.5 million bond issue that permits building two elementary schools, a pre-school and multi-purpose rooms at Pickerington and Violet elementaries.

Board of Education member Jim Brink said he will wait ''for the public's response'' before deciding on which option he likes most. Brink also said the district will need another middle school at some point.


By OB1

Land Acquisition

One part of the options mentioned last night at the board meeting was including monies for land acquisitions for future school sites.

There was also a hope expressed that the board could work with the various builders/developers to obtain land donations.

They also hope to enter into negotiations in the near future with property owners, so as not to be pushed up against it at some point, if that can be avoided.

Buy the developers land south

I see development in the southern parts of the district mainly south of downtown Pickerington. I also am aware that in 2003 the Viola LLC sued Pickerington I believe over the lots per acre and the moratorium.

Here a hint guys at the school board. Pick up the phone and call the city manager and ask if they could make a suggestion. Since they are in a suit with Viola Park (South of Olde Pickerington on Pickerington Road across from the county water tower) ask if the Viola Park Limited would be willing to sell the school distric 20 or 25 acres at cost inexchange for their 2.34 per acre density.

Now lets do the math:

The school gets 25 acres for $10,000 per acre. The city gets out of a law suit, an the developer gets back his 2.34 lots acre. So we have about 277 lots minus the 58 lots and that leaves 219 lots. The school district spends about $250,000 for the land.

If the lots are allowed to be built on then the expenses to the schools per lot is $7,500 per (costs per student) or $435,000 of expenses each year.

Where are the wheeler dealers at? It is time to think outside the box a little.



By Just figuring

I can hear them now...

Ah, I can hear them already: ''NO! WE DON'T WANT ANY MORE PEOPLE!''

It is an alternative idea to a never-ending problem.

Why not call up the city manager and/or e-mail Dr. Thiede and the board with that idea? It can't hurt to run it up the flagpole and see who salutes.