Committee busy with promoting upcoming schools bond issue

The committee to promote the 8.68-mill bond issue for a new prek-8 school building that will appear on the March 19 ballots for those in the Tipp City Exempted Village Schools district is busy with its efforts.

The $87 million bond issue would help pay for the new building that would be constructed on school property off North Hyatt Street that currently is home to Nevin Coppock Elementary School, Tippecanoe Middle School and L.T. Ball Intermediate School. Under the proposed two-phase plan, the project would include removal of the Nevin Coppock, Broadway and Middle School buildings while L.T. Ball would be repurposed.

The district also is in line for up to $30 million in project funds from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission.

Martin English, DVM, and Kevin Cox are heading up the schools levy committee for the Moving Forward Together Campaign.

English, a Tipp schools graduate, is a retired veterinarian in the community and former Monroe Twp. trustee whose parents and children attended the Tipp City schools. Cox also is a graduate of the Tipp City schools and is a managing partner in the Royal Crest Agency insurance business in Tipp City. His two young children now attend Broadway and Nevin Coppock schools.

English has long been involved with the schools through the science fair program as well as fundraising and other activities associated with STEM initiatives.

He also was serving as a township trustee when they approved use of CARES funding for water dispensers instead of drinking fountains at the schools during the COVID pan. He also was involved in the most recent successful campaign in the fall for renewal of the district’s operating levy. “I work with the schools a lot and want to see them succeed,” English said.

After returning to Tipp City following college, Cox said he served as an adviser to the Tipp Educational Endowment Fund. He also has been involved with the Tipp City Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Tipp City Partnership and now serves on the Miami County United Way.

“This initiative is not just about upgrading facilities; it’s about investing in the future of our community, our children and the quality of education to be received,” Cox said. “Providing a safe place for kids is important. Providing a building equipped with up-to-date safety for police and fire to respond to is important for the community.”

Also helping on the levy committee are Scot Clyne, treasurer; Lesley Hellman, Lauren Gibbs, Brandy Walter, Karen Kaibas, Matt Wendel, Jackie Wahl, Chelsea Cox, Katie Ernst, Mike McDermott, Jayme Everhart, Nikkie Winner, Stacie Koesters, Joellen Heatherly, Julie Taylor, Rob Voisard and Wes Rodenburg.

The committee has created a campaign logo and has a website at movingtippforward.com. It also is on Facebook. The website includes campaign information and a FAQ listing along with a tax calculator people can use to determine their monthly tax increase, if the bond issue is approved.

Among the committee’s top goals is answering people’s questions.

“People might know Martin. If they don’t know Martin, they might know me. People will have different views and opinions,” Cox said. “We just want to make sure they have they facts and also have conversations. If people want to sit down, we can sit down here and do it. We want this community to be engaged.”