By 1808Delaware
Board members, students, and district leaders gathered on October 29 to talk about growth, finances, and what comes next for Olentangy Local Schools. The conversation was centered on one thing: how to handle fast-increasing enrollment without raising taxes.
Board President Brandon Lester opened the meeting by tackling the question many voters are asking ahead of the November 4 ballot. How can a bond issue appear on the ballot with millage listed, yet not increase taxes?
What Voters Will See on the Ballot
Lester shared that the ballot language will show that the district could collect 1.77 mills to support the bond issue. According to Delaware County Auditor George Kaitsa, state law requires the county auditor to estimate the amount of millage that would be needed to repay the debt. That estimate must appear on the ballot and on the county’s tax estimator.
Kaitsa offered a clarification for residents who may be confused by the language:
“Our office is required to show the estimated millage for any new levy. The estimated millage for this bond levy is 1.77 mills. However, the Olentangy School Board adopted a resolution to structure the new debt so that no new millage would be required. The resolution has been provided to our office.”
Lester emphasized that the district has made and kept the same pledge many times before. Their no new millage commitments for bond issues in 2001, 2004, 2011, 2016, and 2020 held firm, even during economic downturns in 2007 to 2009 and in 2020.
He reiterated that the strategy is not new and not experimental. If this bond passes, the district will continue to avoid collecting extra millage.
Financial Literacy Takes Center Stage
The evening shifted to a very different topic: student initiative.
Orange High School senior Suvir R. presented DollarDragons, a financial literacy platform he created as part of his DECA project. The site introduces personal finance to students as young as elementary age, using simple, interactive lessons that explain concepts many adults wish they had learned earlier.
His project has already earned approval from the district as an educational technology resource. It reflects a growing trend in the district of students pursuing projects that make real improvements within their schools.
What Growth Means for Classrooms
Superintendent Todd Meyer offered a clear picture of the physical strain created by rising enrollment.
More students are entering the district than buildings were designed to hold. Meyer noted that without new facilities, the district will continue to add trailers to school campuses and class sizes will increase. Extracurricular opportunities will become more limited as space becomes scarce.
A comparison underscored the scale of Olentangy’s buildings. On average:
Elementary schools in Ohio are designed for about 452 students.
Olentangy’s are built for 650.
Middle schools in Ohio average 503 students.
Olentangy’s are built for 950.
Ohio high schools average 686 students.
Olentangy’s high schools are built for 1,800.
Even with larger facilities, Meyer warned that overcrowding is on the horizon without additional space. The proposed bond would support new buildings to maintain reasonable class sizes and keep opportunities accessible to students across the district.
A Community Investment Without Extending Debt
Treasurer Ryan Jenkins outlined the financial side of the bond issue. The district is not restructuring or extending current debt. Instead, the district plans to issue the new bonds using the same repayment schedule taxpayers are already supporting. Lower interest rates would mean taxpayers spend less over time.
Past refinancings already saved the community nearly 34 million dollars by locking in lower interest rates without stretching the repayment period.
Upcoming Policies and Next Steps
Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jack Fette introduced the first reading of board policy updates for fiscal year 2026. These changes are largely required by updates to state law.
The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 12 at 6:30 PM at the Olentangy Administrative Offices.
All board meeting records, including presentations and videos, are available online for residents who want to review the discussions in full.
