Upper Arlington homeowners will decide Nov. 3 whether to approve a combined $273.5 million bond issue and 4.9-mill operating levy that would rebuild two middle schools and an early childhood center, adding roughly $1,250 a year in property taxes on a home valued at $500,000.

The Board of Education completed the process to place both measures on the ballot at a special meeting July 30. The board had unanimously approved a resolution at an earlier special meeting June 30, and took an additional procedural step at the July 30 session to finalize the November placement.

The bond issue would fund phase two of the district's facilities master plan: rebuilding Hastings Middle School on its current athletic field site, renovating and preserving the original 1923 three-story section of Jones Middle School while constructing new learning spaces around it, and rebuilding Burbank Early Childhood School with additional classrooms to address growing special education enrollment.

Both middle schools would also get synthetic turf athletic fields. During Jones construction, sixth graders would attend class in modular buildings near Tremont Elementary School, while seventh and eighth graders would move into a new third-story addition on the north end of Upper Arlington High School.

The district had set aside $14 million in a capital projects fund, which offsets the total cost. The resulting $273.5 million bond adds an estimated 2.25 mills on top of the current 5.7-mill bond rate. The separate 4.9-mill operating levy would fund daily programs and services. Combined, the two measures would cost about $105 per month on a $500,000 home, according to the district.

The decision to preserve Jones' 1923 building rather than demolish it came directly from community feedback. The phase two master plan, unanimously approved at the board's June 9 regular meeting, drew on two years of engagement that generated more than 8,500 stakeholder touch points through surveys, focus groups, and public meetings.

"While we know any investment is significant, there is no zero-cost option," Superintendent Robert Hunt said at the June 30 meeting. "Our buildings have been well-maintained over the years, but these aging facilities require investment in the immediate future."

Treasurer Andrew Geistfeld presented the fiscal details alongside Hunt at the June 9 meeting. Board President Jenny McKenna and Vice President Liz George Stump lead the five-member board that voted unanimously at each step.

The district serves approximately 6,669 students across 10 schools. The City of Upper Arlington plans to distribute information about the ballot measures to all households this fall. Residents can also visit uaschools.org/facilities for details on the plan and engagement process. The next regular board meeting is Nov. 10, at 6 p.m. at City Council Chambers, 3600 Tremont Road.