New Philadelphia Schools heading back to the ballot for new buildings
NEW PHILADELPHIA – The New Philadelphia School District will go to the ballot again in November asking taxpayers to help build two new school buildings.
The Board of Education has approved a 6.2-mill bond issue to appear on the November 4th ballot. That’s different than the 5.9-mill bond issue and 1-mill tax levy that 59 percent of voters voted against in May. In a press release, the district says the new millage reflects increased construction costs and higher interest rates since the spring.
New Philadelphia school officials want to pass a bond issue while the district is still eligible for $80 million in state funding to cover more than half the cost to build new pre-K-through-6 and 7-12 buildings. Officials say that offer is only good for the next 16 months, and it’s contingent upon the district passing a bond issue.
The total estimated cost to build two new schools is $145.5 million dollars. The district would demolish its five elementary schools and the middle and high school facility.
In the press release, Superintendent Amy Wentworth says they developed their plan through months of community engagement. She says they could build both new schools at the same time if the bond issue is approved.
PRESS RELEASE:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Board Votes to Return School Bond Issue to November Ballot
NEW PHILADELPHIA, OH (July 2025) — The New Philadelphia City Schools Board of Education has voted to place a 6.1-mill bond issue on the November 4, 2025 ballot. The updated millage reflects increased construction costs due to inflation and higher interest rates since the previous ballot attempts.
This ballot measure coincides with New Philadelphia’s recent eligibility for state co-funding. The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) approved the district’s facility master plan, making it eligible for $80 million in state funding—approximately 55% of the total estimated cost of $145.5 million—through the Classroom Facilities Assistance Program (CFAP). New Philadelphia was one of four districts across Ohio selected at this time to receive CFAP funding and was allocated the largest share. The state funding offer is available to the district for 16 months beginning July 2025. Eligibility for the state funding is contingent upon passing a bond issue to fund the local portion of the project.
The proposed plan includes:
- Construction of a new elementary school for grades pre-K through 6 at the current South Elementary site.
- Construction of a new middle/high school for grades 7–12 at the current high school site.
- Demolition of all five elementary schools and the middle/high school facility.
“Our facility master plan was developed through months of community engagement, including public meetings, surveys, and building tours,” said Superintendent Amy Wentworth. “With this plan now approved by the state, the district is eligible for 55% of the total approved project cost to be covered by OFCC funding. This would apply to both a new pre-K through 6 elementary building and a new 7–12 middle/high school. Both buildings can be constructed at the same time if the local share is approved.”
More information about the facility plan, cost breakdowns, and tax impact is available at npschools.org or by calling 330-364-0600.