Top 12 Reasons to Support the Heights Facilities Bond Issue

1.      To protect this community, we must have strong school buildings.  With this issue, Cleveland Heights High School, and Monticello and Roxboro middle schools, will be completely renovated and updated,  but without a new school price tag. 

2.      We can save money. Our current buildings are old, outdated, and inefficient – and that’s why they cost so much to operate. This issue means energy-efficient buildings that save us money.

3.      Our buildings are holding back education.  Real, effective education is happening in our schools, in spite of our facilities. How well would you learn with leaking roofs, outdated wiring that limits the use of technology, bad plumbing, and classrooms that are too hot or too cold? Our kids deserve better learning conditions. 

4.      A High School that can make us proud.  Heights High Schools is the center of our community. It should attract students, residents and businesses. It doesn’t do that now, but it can, with the Facilities issue.       

5.      Up-to-date classrooms and science labs. Not a single science lab meets even the state of Ohio’s most basic standards. This plan will create up-to-date classrooms and labs that help students achieve. 

6.      The Bond Accountability Commission.  We can know that the school renovations will be done right, for the lowest price, because the School Board has agreed to added oversight from a Bond Accountability Commission made up of residents who will watch every dollar and report back to us.  

7.      Our community can’t fall behind.  Numerous Neighboring and peer districts, including Shaker Heights and Euclid, have either completed major facilities projects or are underway. We can’t allow this community to fall behind.  

8.      Stronger safety and security. The current facilities, especially the high school, cannot be effectively secured, creating challenges and potential dangers for students and staff.  The renovated facilities will make our schools, students and staff safer.

9.      Protect history, build for tomorrow. This renovation plan gives us the best of both worlds: we can protect historic aspects like the iconic high school clock tower, and lower the overall cost, but still provide up-to-date facilities that work for today’s education – and tomorrow’s.

10.   Increased community use, through a new swimming pool and renovated auditorium. The high school will have a new indoor competition swimming pool and renovated auditorium designed for both student and community use. 

11.   Sustainability, from the ground up. The renovated facilities will be designed to be environmentally friendly in construction and use, energy-efficient in operation, and an example of sustainability for our community.       

12.   It’s up to us to keep this community great – now is our best chance. Without this issue, our schools will continue to deteriorate and get more expensive to operate. Historically low interest rates, millions in potential funding, and a decrease in the District’s borrowing power all mean we are unlikely to ever get another chance to carry out this plan for this price. 

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