School improvements are among the improvements expected with passage of the bond referendum.issued sone of the main focuses of a bond referendum that the district hopes gets passed on Dec. 9
The Mantua school district will host a bond referendum on Tuesday, Dec. 9 that will give residents the chance to vote on improvements to its facilities.
Total cost of the necessary work is $39.1 million, according to the district, with projects at each of its elementary schools: J. Mason Tomlin, Centre City and Sewell. The money will be spent on expanding classroom space and other infrastructure improvements.
“Our mission is to prepare students for life-long success through comprehensive academics, community partnerships and character education,” said Superintendent Christine R. Trampé. “It’s our responsibility to provide our students and employees with safe environments that are conducive to effective teaching and learning.
“These improvements will go a long way toward helping us to continue to provide environments that match the high-caliber education expected of Mantua Township schools.”
The proposed projects include more safety and security measures, including upgraded security systems with new cameras, site lighting and security panels. ADA-compliant security doors, hardware and accessibility improvements across the district’s buildings will also be added, along with HVAC units that will integrate with fire alarm systems.
Sewell Elementary will get new classrooms and see the rebuilding of the school’s 1912 Castle Wing to create a central location for pre-school and kindergarten students. New outdoor areas, new playground surfacing and interior improvements will also be added.
Repairs to each school’s exterior – such as roof replacements – are part of the referendum, along with improved parking, new energy-efficient energy upgrades and drainage system improvements.
The district hopes to procure $8.9 million in state aid from the referendum to fund the planned upgrades. The board of education will also contribute $1 million from the district’s capital reserve to minimize the local tax impact.
The owner of a Mantua home valued at the township’s average of $311,283 is expected to pay roughly $28 per month if the referendum is approved, according to the district.
“As the board of education and district administration planned for the future,” noted a district spokesperson, “we recognized that strategic infrastructure projects would strengthen that mission and preserve the community pride that makes Mantua a special place.”
