Frequently Asked Questions

On November 5, 2024, Issue 40—a 4.46 mill, 37-year Bond Issue (effective tax collection rate of 1.45 mills)—to fund essential projects outlined in our 2024 Campus Master Plan. This strategic investment of $135 million will address current capacity, increasing enrollment and students’ academic, developmental, and extracurricular needs through a carefully phased approach. With expiring millage, a two-phase project approach and the restructuring of the District’s bond debt with scheduled tax roll-offs, the majority of residents will experience a reduction or minimal to no tax increase.

With expiring millage at the end of 2024, our two-phase project approach allows us to move forward with no, limited or reduced school tax impact, ensuring our students benefit while keeping the burden on family budgets as low as possible.

Our 2024 Campus Master Plan, the result of over two years of intensive research, study, analysis, and planning, is a strategic blueprint to address our current student capacity needs, prepare for future enrollment growth, and continue to meet the academic and developmental needs of all students.

The plan will be implemented in two phases.

Phase 1 - Between 2025 and 2028

• Build a NEW elementary school to serve approximately 1,200 students enrolled in all-day kindergarten and grades 1 and 2 to allow us to address growing capacity needs by restructuring other elementary grade levels.

• Renovate an existing high school building to create a high school hub for technology for enhanced learning spaces and additional classroom space for future student growth.

• Renovate the existing middle school stadium, including bathrooms and concessions to benefit interscholastic sports for grades 7-12 (football, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, track, etc.).

• Build a larger Transportation Facility to house our school bus operations. Expand the bus lane at the Early Learning Center.

Phase 2 - Between 2028 and 2031

• Construct updated science labs at the high school to accommodate increased science course offerings, enhanced lab learning space, and future student growth.

• Build a fine arts hub (art, choir, band, orchestra, and theater) for students in grades 6-12 that will accommodate current student course enrollment and future student growth.

• Expand the middle/high school cafeteria and multipurpose common area to accommodate daily student usage and future enrollment.

No. The school tax rate is the same regardless of your zip code. Everyone pays the same tax rate in our 23 square mile school district boundary.

Yes, with financial and land donation commitments by our partners at the City of New Albany and the New Albany Company (NACO), we are able to limit the size of the Bond Issue request.

The City of New Albany has committed financial support and NACO has committed land for the construction of NEW baseball/softball fields upon successful passage of the bond issue.

NACO has also committed additional land for the relocation of the Transportation Facility. The existing Transportation Facility will be incorporated into the City’s park and recreation projects to benefit the entire community as part of Kitzmiller Park.

The school district has not received new money from a bond or operating levy since 2012 or 12 years ago.

A mill is the “tax rate” that is applied to the assessed value of a property. One mill is equal to one dollar per $1,000 dollars of assessed value.   

The assessed value is set at 35% of the property’s appraised value. Assessed value is used to calculate property taxes.

The two-phase project approach enables the restructuring of the District’s bond debt with scheduled tax roll-offs so  that the majority of residents will experience a reduction or minimal to no tax increase for our schools. 

For the small number of our school district residents not currently paying the Special Assessment for the Community Authority, expiring December 31, 2024, a maximum tax increase of $50.75 per year (or approximately $4.23/month) per $100,000 of home valuation will begin collection in January 2025.

To determine if you are located in the Community Authority, visit newalbanycommunityauthority.org

To find your Appraised Value from the Franklin County Auditor website, visit: property.franklincountyauditor.com

At 1.30%, New Albany-Plain Local School District is positioned favorably compared to several neighboring districts. This indicates that New Albany school district residents pay a lower percentage of school property taxes compared to many other districts in Franklin County, reflecting a balance between maintaining quality schools and managing property tax rates effectively.

 

Due to increased traffic and development, the current transportation facility on Johnstown Road has become difficult to enter and exit safely in a timely manner to serve our students. Our current location is too small for our growing fleet and staffing needs. The new location, on donated land, will be centrally located to the school campus and will significantly improve egress, safety and efficiency.

Early Learning Center Bus Lane: Improves logistics and student safety by accommodating 18 buses with diagonal parking.

Swickard Woods Boulevard Improvements: Enhances the safety and efficiency of arrival and dismissal for the Early Learning Center and the new elementary school building.

Relocated Transportation Facility: Addresses traffic challenges, accommodates increased school transportation needs, and reduces traffic congestion on Johnstown Road.

When the new elementary school opens, we will restructure grade levels on our school campus as follows: