Board of Education takes final step to place bond-levy on fall ballot

The Upper Arlington Board of Education unanimously approved the second and final resolution to place a combined operating levy and bond issue on the November 3, 2026, ballot. The action was taken at the June 30, 2026, special meeting of the Board of Education. If approved by voters, the bond issue would fund the phase two facilities master plan, while the operating levy would provide funding to maintain the district’s educational programs, services and daily operations.

Over the past two years, thousands of residents, families, staff members and students helped shape the final plan through surveys, focus groups, public meetings and community conversations, resulting in more than 8,500 stakeholder touch points. Approved by the Board of Education on June 9, the final master plan reflects this feedback — including the decision to preserve and renovate the original 1923 three-story section of Jones Middle School while building new learning spaces around it.

The Board-approved plan includes: 

• Rebuilding Hastings Middle School
• Renovating and preserving the original three-story portion of Jones Middle School while constructing new learning spaces around it
• Rebuilding Burbank Early Childhood School with additional classrooms to meet community demand 
• Installing synthetic turf athletic fields at both middle schools
• Funding temporary learning space for Jones students during construction, including modular classrooms near Tremont Elementary School and a third-story addition on the north end of Upper Arlington High School, which can support future district needs

“The final master plan reflects years of listening, learning and working alongside our community to identify the best path forward for our schools,” said Superintendent Robert Hunt, Ph.D. “While we know any investment is significant, there is no zero-cost option. Our buildings have been well-maintained over the years, but these aging facilities require investment in the immediate future. This plan provides a long-term solution that preserves what our community values while creating learning environments that will serve students for generations to come.”

The $273.5 million bond issue (an estimated 2.25 mills above current collections) would fund the second phase of the master plan. The 4.9-mill operating levy would provide funding to maintain the district’s educational programs, services and daily operations. Combined, these issues would add approximately $1,250 a year, or $105 per month, in property taxes to a home valued at $500,000 by the Franklin County Auditor.  

You can learn more about the ballot issue, the facilities master plan and the community engagement process at www.uaschools.org/facilities.

To review additional action items from the meeting, you may visit our Upper Arlington Schools Board of Education page to access the June 30 meeting agenda and video. For meeting dates and more information about the Board of Education, please visit www.uaschools.org/board.