FAQ | Frequently Asked Questions
On November 5, 2024, we urge you to Vote FOR 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 when voting for Issue 40 for our schools, making this the optimal time to invest in our schools and community.
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.
With expiring millage at the end of 2024, now is the critical time to support the levy and implement the 2024 Campus Master Plan. 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.
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.
Voting FOR Issue 40 now is a fiscally responsible decision that addresses immediate facility needs for our current student population, prepares us for future growth, and minimizes the impact on taxpayers.
Issue 40 will increase our capacity for enrollment growth while enhancing the fine arts, science, and technology programs. It will also improve athletic facilities, extracurricular opportunities, transportation logistics, and student safety.
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 assesed value is set at 35% of the property’s appraised value. Assessed value is used to calculate property taxes.
Our 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
Please see below for specific tax rate examples:
Calculation Example #1: Reduced Cost - Reside in the Community Authority
| Appraised Value from Franklin County Auditor Website | $350,200 |
| $50.75 per $100,000 in appraised value | $350,200/$100,000 = 3.5 |
| Issue 40 Annual Cost | 3.5 X $50.75 = $177.62 |
Less Community Authority Assessment
| -$221.20 |
|
| Net Annual Cost/(Reduction) | ($43.57) |
Source: Franklin County Auditor Website
Calculation Example #2: Added Cost - Reside in the Community Authority
| Appraised Value from Franklin County Auditor Website | $1,074,100 |
| $50.75 per $100,000 in appraised value | $1,074,100/$100,000 = 10.74 |
| Issue 40 Annual Cost | 10.74 X $50.75 = $545.06 |
Less Community Authority Assessment
| -$481.44 |
|
| Net Annual Cost/(Reduction) | $63.62 |
Source: Franklin County Auditor Website
Calculation Example #3: Added Cost - NOT in the Community Authority
| Appraised Value from Franklin County Auditor Website | $532,600 |
| $50.75 per $100,000 in appraised value | $532,600/$100,000 = 5.33 |
| Issue 40 Annual Cost | 5.33 X $50.75 = $270.50 |
Less Community Authority Assessment
| -$0 |
|
| Net Annual Cost/(Reduction) | $270.50 |
ISSUE 40: Calculate YOUR cost.
VISIT: www.napls.us/our-district/issue-40/issue-40-know-your-cost
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.
Bond Retirement Fund (BRF): a restricted account used by a school district or municipality to set aside money, often from property taxes, for repaying the principal and interest on bonds issued for capital projects.
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:
Each year the Franklin County Auditor’s Office sets the millage to collect the funds necessary to pay the scheduled debt payment in that year. They look at our Bond Retirement Fund Balance and the actual payment due to set that millage. The only way the millage would be set at 4.46 mills is if the debt payment required such. Our proposed debt schedule, that has been shared with the Franklin County Auditor’s office, does not require 4.46 mills in any year. The District cannot require the Franklin County Auditor to collect 4.46 mills without cause and The Franklin County Auditor will not allow us to collect more than is absolutely necessary.