SWL Bond Issue

Abate/Abatement = Removal of materials frequently used in older buildings, such as asbestos and certain types of paints and adhesives, which now have been determined to pose health risks or which are no longer in compliance with state standards for school buildings.

 

All day, every day kindergarten = A kindergarten class that is in session five days per week for not less than the same number of clock hours each day as for pupils in grades one through five.

 

Assessed or taxable value = 35% of the property valuation.

 

Bids = The process by which districts select and contract with firms to conduct work on school buildings. The process includes an advertisement for the work scope, acceptance of “BIDS”, an evaluation of “BIDS” and bidders, and an award to the lowest most responsible bidder.

 

Bond issue = A tax issue placed on the ballot to raise funds for capital improvements for school facilities or to provide for the construction of new facilities.  The funds raised are not permitted to be used for operational cost.  These funds must be used for those items identified on the ballot voted by the public.

 

Dual enrollment = Students enrolled in secondary school may be dual enrolled at a local institution of higher learning, such as a community college or university. If students pass their college classes, they receive credit that may be applied toward their high school diploma and/or toward a college degree or certificate.

 

Facility assessment = A facilities assessment will reveal the condition of existing buildings. Assessors examine every aspect of the structure including mechanical and electrical systems, educational adequacy, and hazardous material abatement.

 

Lapsed district = The category the SWL district would be placed into if the district's voters fail to pass the “BOND” levy needed to raise the local share.  Also, money set aside by the state in taken back and is offered to the next eligible district.

 

Levy = To impose taxes on the residents of the school district for a specific purpose.

 

LFI = A Locally Funded Initiative or LFI is any portion of a project that is solely funded by the district as an addition to the Master Facility Plan.  Some examples of LFIs are extra gymnasium space, auditoriums, square footage for extra classrooms, or special design features that cannot be incorporated into the co-funded project budget.

 

Master plan = The Master Facility Plan or MFP is a comprehensive plan for the long-term care and maintenance of every building in the school district. This document defines the scope of work and budget for each of the district’s classroom facilities and is a requirement for all districts participating in OSFC programs.

 

Mill = Basic unit for computing local property taxes and is equivalent to one-tenth of a cent or $.001.  A mill is also the yield from one dollar ($1) per thousand dollars ($1,000) of the assessed value of property.

 

Modular classrooms/trailer = A classroom found in a building designed and built to be movable rather than permanently located.

 

OFCC = The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) is responsible for guiding capital projects for state agencies, state-supported universities and community colleges, including Ohio’s comprehensive public K-12 school construction and renovation program.  The Commission merged the operations of the State Architect's Office and the Ohio School Facilities Commission on September 10, 2012, combining the state's construction authority and resources within a single entity. The new Commission sets uniform rules, procedures, and standardized documents and is responsible for construction delivery methods, construction documents, and process and procedures.  The Ohio School Facilities Commission continues to exist within the new consolidated agency and focuses on programmatic and planning issues related to K-12 construction. The authority to approve, award, and administer design, construction, and other specialty contracts now falls under the umbrella of the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission.

 

Off line = A district building not used for K-12 instructional purposes.

 

On hold = LFI items that have been temporarily removed from the overall project due to a shortage of funds.  These items may return to the scope of the project should bids come in lower than expected.

 

Operating cost = The day-to-day cost associated with operating a school district; these cost, for example, include salaries, books, supplies, school buses, utilities, purchased services, and supplies for plant maintenance.

 

Operating levy = A levy that raises revenue for the day-to-day expenses of running a school.

 

OSFC = State agency charged with providing funding, management oversight, and technical assistance to local school districts for construction and renovation of school facilities for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

 

Property valuation = Market value of all land, buildings and fixtures in a given area as determined by the county auditor.

 

Renew/Renewal Levy = A renewal levy is the continuance of an existing levy with the collection rate at the same dollar amount as when the levy was originally approved.

 

State Capacity Formula = The OFCC determines building capacity based upon the anticipated student enrollment of the facility.  Depending on the age of the students in the building (PK-5, 6-8, 9-12), a certain amount of square footage is provided per student.  The square footage per student also varies depending on the size of the building.  A smaller building gets a lesser allotment per student; a larger building gets more.  Within the Ohio School Design Manual, there are sliding scale charts that define the square footage allotment per student depending on building type, building size and student enrollment.

 

For an existing building, OFCC would analyze the usable space within the facility, the type of students proposed to use the school, and then based upon this review the charts would indicate the recommended enrollment capacity.

 

STEM = STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.  STEM is a unique approach to teaching and learning that fosters creativity and innovative thinking in all students.

 

Tax base = Taxable value of real and tangible property from which a community can raise tax revenue.

 

TOSA = Teachers on Special Assignment: Teachers who perform duties other than instruction during the school day, such as a dean of students.