Fairborn voters approve two new schools

Fairborn will get new primary and intermediate schools as voters approved a 2.95-mill bond levy Tuesday night.

“The first thing I’m thinking is this is a great blessing for the community and I’m very thankful for the support of our voters and our army of volunteers,” said Fairborn superintendent Mark North.

With more 15,600 ballots cast, 59.3 percent voted for the levy, according to unofficial results from the Greene County and Montgomery County boards of election.

>> RESULTS: Latest updated vote totals

North credited Tuesday’s victory for the school district to a “wonderful” volunteer effort and “a lot of people working on this for years.”

“Our grassroots efforts were able to communicate our message to the entire public,” North said.

The levy will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $103.25 per year and will replace the mid-1950s Primary and Intermediate schools with new buildings on the same sites.

North cited problems with water infiltration, faltering computer networks and heating systems, among other issues. He said the district has multiple needs, but was seeking to replace its two worst buildings first.

The total cost of the project is listed in state documents as $51 million, with the state covering 46 percent.

Dan Scheppan, a Fairborn resident who said he voted for the levy, said most of the people he had talked to supported the bond levy.

“I always vote for the levies in Fairborn,” Scheppan said. “Both of my kids went there years ago and I still support them.”

Kenneth Brock of Fairborn said he voted against the levy because he already pays too much in taxes.

“Education is important, but I pay taxes in Moraine, Kettering and Fairborn, so I’m just like, ‘I can’t do any more.’ I’ve got jobs in different places so it’s just too much,” he said.

Marsha Eads Carlson said she voted for the levy, but said it will be hard to see the schools close in Fairborn because she has lived there her whole life.

“It’s bittersweet for me because I grew up in Fairborn so I’d really hate to see Five Points knocked down,” Eads Carlson said.

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