‘The buildings are way past their useful life.’

District voters are being asked Nov. 7 to approve a 4.61-mill, 30-year bond issue to construct two elementary schools to replace six elementary schools and a sixth grade building.

The board of education agreed Sept. 11 that students in prekindergarten through second grade would be housed in one building and those in third through sixth grade in the other. The proposal is to build the schools on 58.67 acres off Ohio 55 at Nashville Road just west of the city limits. The board said the land, which would be purchased if the bond issue is approved, would be annexed to the city.

“I do not believe we can overstate the importance of this project. Our district is comprised of some very old — average age over 70 years — buildings. We can put forth a good first impression, but the buildings are way past their useful life, for a public school,” Doug Trostle, board of education president, said in response to submitted questions.

“Some of the proposed changes are difficult for our district residents to accept, but we live in a different time and we demand more from our community schools. Safety and security is first and foremost as is handicap accessibility,” Trostle said. “Every year, we hear about the need to provide air conditioning and our plumbing, heating and electrical services are severely inadequate.”

The bond issue campaign is being led by local businessmen Ron Musilli and Brock Heath, who also is a member of the Troy City Council. The task force was announced by the Board of Education on Sept. 11.

The group’s goal is to educate district residents, not tell them how to vote, Heath said. ”We are getting information out and are answering questions so people can make an informed decision,” he said.

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Task force members include: Kathi Roetter, Heath, Lynne Snee, Nikki Blair Jones, Musilli, Joe Wagner, Kris Pascale, Michael Ham, Steve Nolan, Rob Davis, Trostle, Jeff Price, Eric Herman.

Anyone interested in helping fund the campaign can send donations to Citizens for Troy Schools, Craig Curcio, Treasurer, 2250 Winfield Court, Troy.

Information on the request and answers to questions are available online at www.futureoftroyschools.com.