Lakota homeowners would pay no more in property taxes under a $223 million facilities bond headed to voters Nov. 3. The district says the new 2.2-mill bond replaces an existing bond set to expire in 2028.

The district published a voter-education explainer on Monday, Sept. 14, walking residents through three types of school funding. An operating levy covers daily expenses such as classroom instruction and extracurricular activities. A permanent improvement levy pays for items that last at least five years, like technology and building upkeep.

A bond issue funds large construction projects. The district borrows the money and repays it over time. Bond dollars cannot go toward salaries or daily operations.

The no-tax-increase argument hinges on timing. Collection on the current 2.2 mills ends in calendar year 2028. Collection on the proposed replacement would begin in 2029. The millage rate stays essentially flat.

"We've actually timed the millage to roll off with the existing bonds in 2028. So that is a no-tax-increase levy for our community," Superintendent Ashley Whitely told WCPO on July 31.

The Lakota Board of Education unanimously approved placing the bond on the November ballot at its June 9 meeting. Phase one of the Master Facilities Plan carries a total price tag of $300 million. The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) is contributing $77 million in state funds, bringing the local share to $223 million.

The bond would cost approximately $77 per year for every $100,000 of home value, WCPO reported.

The previous bond proposal, rejected by voters in November 2025, carried a local share of roughly $506 million. Board member Benjamin Nguyen, who voted against that larger plan, told WCPO on July 24 that the revised version is structured as a replacement and that Lakota would not be responsible for any uptick in property taxes.

If approved, the 37-year bond would fund renovations and additions at East Freshman Campus, Plains Junior High and both Lakota East and Lakota West high schools. Three buildings would close: Adena Elementary, Ridge Junior and the West Freshman/Creekside/Lakota Central campus. That would cut three buildings, shrinking the district from 21 to 18.

The district has been ramping up voter outreach. Interim Treasurer Randy Bertram launched a weekly "Treasurer Tuesdays" video series on Sept. 3 to break down school finances. Superintendent Whitely is also hosting in-person information meetings, informal drop-in sessions and "Facilities Fridays" on Facebook Live.

Residents can find the full session schedule at mfp.lakotaonline.com.