BCSC Facility Long Range Planning FAQ:
- What is the need?
BCSC has four areas of need to address in next several years:
- School enrollment balance:
Overall, BCSC student enrollment is expected to either remain stable or grow slightly over the next ten years. Enrollment within the district, however, is expected to continue to shift from east to west. Student enrollment is already at or nearing capacity at schools which serve students who live in the western portion of the district’s boundaries. As part of the solution, community feedback has indicated the need to build a 12th elementary school to remedy the enrollment issue on the westside of Columbus.
- Spaces reflecting 21st century learning environments:
Most of BCSC’s elementary schools were built in the 50’s and 60’s. Our newest building is Clifty Creek Elementary, built in 1983. Teaching and learning styles have changed tremendously since then. BCSC elementary schools and Northside Middle School are in need of renovations and updates to provide 21st century learning environments to the community’s children that enhances and encourages team based learning, exploration in STEM environments, and use of future-ready technology. All elementary schools (aside from Parkside and Schmitt which have projects underway) would see substantial improvements with this referendum.
- Meeting academic needs and demand:
At times, some BCSC students are limited with course offerings due to facility space constraints. For example, a welding course at North HS within the C4 program can only safely accommodate 50 students due to the size of the classroom and lab. More than 90 students indicate interest in this course each semester, so roughly 40 students must make another selection. Similar situations are present in other CTE (career and technical education) courses, athletic offerings (weights), and in some middle school elective classes. Improvements to North and East High School would remedy this issue, ensuring students who want specific course offerings are able to enroll without restriction due to available space.
- Why is the work needed now?
BCSC believes 2024 is the appropriate time to address the issues for several reasons, including those below:
- Debt is expiring (financial opportunities are present)
- Work can be completed and keep the tax rate neutral
- Our decisions today plan for best case scenarios for students ten years from now
- Taking no action would risk some schools having significantly more students enrolled than the buildings can support
- When will BCSC finish investing in facilities?
Never. With 2,000,000 square feet of buildings that average 50+ years old, it is the most responsible course of action to invest in these facilities. Failure to invest in this community resource would result in a much more significant cost in the future. Through regular investments in our school buildings, we avoid costly demolition and new construction costs.
- Is a capital referendum necessary to complete these projects?
No, the school board and district have chosen to complete the work without pursuing a capital referendum.
- What are the tax implications of a capital referendum in 2024?
There is no increase in the property tax rate. Since existing debt is being retired, the projects can be done without changing the tax rate.