Dover School Board makes move to fund building upgrades
DOVER – The Dover City School District has made a financial move to help fund facility improvements that could include new construction in the future.
The School Board this week agreed to reallocate 4.4 mills of inside millage – or around $1.5 million to $1.8 million a year – to permanent improvements like building upgrades. That money had previously been allocated for operating expenses like salaries.
Superintendent Karie McCrate says years of discussion led to this decision to address roofing, heating and cooling systems, and future kindergarten through 8th-grade facilities. McCrate says the reallocation puts the district in position to build new facilities with the state providing around $50 million to cover 60 percent of the costs.
McCrate acknowledges that the move will raise local property taxes but says there too many unknown factors for her to say how much at this time.
“There’s a lot of movement around property taxes in Ohio right now,” she said. “So the exact change is going to vary somewhat based on individual property values, evaluation cycles and some other potential changes in policy, but I think as much as anything the feeling is this is really a smart investment for our schools and our community.”
McCrate says the district will soon convene a community advisory team. She invites residents interested in joining the team to contact the district office at 330-364-1906.
PRESS RELEASE FROM DOVER CITY SCHOOLS
September 8, 2025
The Dover City Schools Board of Education approved the reallocation of 4.4 “inside mills” from general operating funds to permanent improvement (PI) funds to address long-term facility needs—such as roofing, heating and cooling systems, and future K-8 facilities.
Some of the most urgent needs include Dover Avenue Elementary, which is now 110 years old, and HVAC upgrades for all schools – all key priorities in the District’s Strategic Plan. By reallocating these existing resources, Dover City Schools can make smart investments today that could reduce the future tax burden for our residents.
This investment also positions Dover to access more than $50 million of state fund dollars for Dover Schools in the future, upon the district’s entrance into the Ohio Facilities Construction Committee (OFCC) Expedited Local Partnership Program.
Doing nothing comes with its own growing expenses. As our elementary and middle schools further age, the cost for their upkeep only increases. Investing in more efficient facilities now avoids costly repairs and improves learning environments for today’s students. Deferring action only escalates long-term expenses.
Because Ohio law treats “inside millage” differently from voted levies, this change will contribute to an increase in taxes for property owners. However, by reallocating this millage now, the district can protect locally-approved funds designated for capital improvements, including student safety upgrades, learning environment improvements, and transportation needs. The exact impact will vary based on individual property values, valuation cycles, and other potential changes in property tax policy. We support the growing call for property tax relief and reform across Ohio, and we are preparing for possible changes to how schools are funded.
Planning for the future of Dover Schools is the key factor in this decision to move millage already being collected from the Operating Funds to the Permanent Improvement (PI) budget. By law, PI funds can only be used for long-term investments like buildings, property, and equipment that last five years or more. It cannot be used for staff salaries or daily operations.
The Board of Education and administration have engaged in ongoing conversations with our community over the past several years about the district’s Capital Improvement Plan and Strategic Plan — both of which align with these goals. Dover Schools is wrapping up the Educational Visioning Committee work this September and beginning work with the Community Advisory Team this fall. Any resident interested in serving on this team is encouraged to contact the District Office at 330-364-1906 for more information.