Issue 7 on the November 3 Ballot

Issue 7 would maintain the district’s current educational programming and operations while also funding the second phase of the community-developed master plan for the aging middle schools and Burbank Early Childhood School. Phase two would address both the physical and educational needs of the buildings — replacing aging building systems (HVAC, plumbing, mechanical, electrical) and creating new learning spaces to meet today’s standards. The second phase also includes a third-floor addition at Upper Arlington High School, above the district offices and music classrooms, that would serve as a temporary location for Jones Middle School grades 7-8 during construction and a permanent asset to support future district needs — for approximately the same cost as temporary modular classrooms. This addition is possible because the infrastructure was put in place during construction of the high school in the event that an addition would be needed in the future.

For an Upper Arlington homeowner, Issue 7 would mean an annual property tax increase of approximately $1,250 per year, or about $105 per month, for a home valued at $500,000. It’s important to note that market value isn’t what your home would sell for — it’s an amount determined by the county auditor and available on your property listing on the auditor’s website.

The phase two master plan for the aging middle schools and Burbank Early Childhood School is the result of an extensive community-driven process that resumed in 2024, building on the district's original facilities master planning effort that began in 2015 and resulted in a new Upper Arlington High School and all new or renovated elementary schools. Throughout the phase two planning process, thousands of stakeholders shared their perspectives through surveys, community meetings, focus groups and other engagement opportunities — resulting in more than 8,500 touchpoints with stakeholders.

Hastings, Jones and Burbank have been very well maintained, which has extended the life of the building systems beyond what is typically expected. However, the building systems — plumbing, electrical, mechanical — are now simply nearing the end of useful life. According to third-party physical assessments conducted in the fall of 2024, it would cost an estimated $124.8 million to repair and maintain all three schools to keep them safe, dry and secure for students and staff.

In Upper Arlington, approximately 96 percent of district revenues are fixed, with little or no room for growth. A major factor in this is House Bill 920, a state law passed in the 1970s that ensures voted operating levies do not garow as property values increase. As property values increase, the millage collected for each voted operating levy is reduced to ensure the district’s funding from the operating levy remains flat. Generally speaking, the only way school districts see an increase in property tax revenue is when voters approve a new operating levy.

Upper Arlington Schools last passed an operating levy in fall 2022 to support daily operations, with a commitment to return to voters in three years. The district has successfully stretched that levy an additional year, but as expected, expenditures are now outpacing revenue. As a result, the district is returning to the ballot this fall to request the operating funding needed to maintain current programming and operations.

If Issue 7 fails, the district would not have the operating funds needed to maintain current programming.  This means programming, class sizes and staffing would need to be re-evaluated.

Additionally, the district would need to address the urgent repair needs at Hastings, Jones and Burbank.  Without the bond issue, these repairs would be funded from the operating budget, further reducing funds available for programming and staffing.

If Upper Arlington voters approve the combined ballot issue on November 3, the school district would immediately begin a design phase for the middle schools and Burbank Early Childhood School. The design phase would involve any and all community members, staff members, parents/guardians and students who wish to participate. Construction would then follow after the conclusion of the design phase.