Bexley City Schools
District Facilities Plan
What’s New
Community members Larry Helman and Ted Cahill made a presentation to the Board during a special meeting on Nov. 20, 2025, that culminated in a recommendation to move forward with the development of a Phase I of facilities upgrades. Their presentation was representative of the work of nearly 50 Bexley residents and staff members who make up a combined committee from the district’s Finance Advisory Council and Facilities Advisory Committee.
During his presentation, Mr. Helman focused on the history of how Bexley school buildings have been utilized and expanded over the past 100 years. “We’ve gotten 100 years out of (the Cassingham) campus,” Mr. Helman said. “We will not get a second 100 years unless we figure out how to deal with moving and a redevelopment for that campus over time.” He went on to say, “We need to create sites and create options, and have a clear understanding of the steps we need to take to make that campus viable going into the next 100 years.”
Recommended Phase I Scope
• Construction of a New Middle School, Rebuilding of the Stadium Bleachers, Turfed Fields at Montrose and Maryland Elementary Schools in order to increase outdoor access to students and community year-round, and facilities maintenance needed within 5 years
• Estimated Cost: ~$113 Million
• Recommended Financing of Phase I: Hybrid of Personal Income Tax and Property Tax
*ESTIMATES equal 1.5 mills of property tax ($21.4M) and 0.5% income tax ($92M)
*Please note that these estimates may change. The district must verify these estimates with county and state agencies.
• Committee’s Recommended Timing of a Possible Ballot Issue: May 2026 (Superintendent Jason Fine stated during the Nov. 20, 2025 meeting that he is leaning toward recommending a possible ballot issue in the November 2026 election and anticipates making a timing recommendation to the Board during the December regular Board meeting.)
• Presentation SlidesThe presentation video is available on the district’s YouTube Channel beginning at 1:00:52 of the meeting video.
2025 Community Survey Results
Paul Fallon, whose company Fallon Research and Communication conducted a confidential public opinion survey of Bexley residents about the District Facilities Plan from Oct. 29 to Nov. 4. The purpose of the survey was to ensure the school district is developing priorities that align with community values. Mr. Fallon, who presented the survey results to the Board during its Nov. 20, 2025 special meeting, said 74% of respondents said they are satisfied with Bexley Schools and 86% of respondents agreed that “everyone benefits from being in the Bexley City School District because it is one of the primary reasons for stable property values and a good reputation as a strong community.”
• Presentation Slides • Survey Study Report • Survey Cross Tabs• Verbatim Responses
Mr. Fallon’s presentation is available on the district’s YouTube Channel beginning at 20:08 of the meeting video.
What’s Next?
School Treasurer/CFO Kyle Smith will convene the district’s Finance Advisory Council in December 2025, to help determine the needed funding, as well as what the hybrid funding mechanisms would total.
Should the Board accept Dr. Fine’s recommendation regarding a ballot issue in November 2026, then the final recommendations on the scope, cost, and type of financing will be made in early 2026.
The Bexley Board of Education during its May 14, 2025, monthly meeting accepted and approved a District Facilities Plan from architects of Perkins&Will and Moody Nolan.
The Board’s approval indicates their agreement with architects’ general recommendations on how to proceed with building upgrades. At this time, there are no finalized designs for school buildings, nor have there been decisions about financing the District Facilities Plan.
Summary of Recommendations
Cassingham Complex
Phase 1 – Build a new Bexley Middle School on the northeast corner of the Cassingham Complex property, where the softball field currently resides (softball field moves off site); following the opening of the new middle school, re-allocate and renovate space from the former middle school to Bexley High School and Cassingham Elementary School and make selective renovations to BHS and Cassingham. Later phases include the possibility of building a new Bexley High School on the east side of the property, next to the new middle school and to further renovate and build onto Cassingham Elementary. Another option keeps Bexley High School in its current location and further renovate it and Cassingham Elementary by upgrading spaces that were untouched previously. Any work done after Phase 1 would likely occur several years later. Diagrams of Recommended Options
Maryland Elementary
Phase 1 – Build a new addition on the north and west sides of the school, adding classrooms and common spaces, as well as renovate and right size other classrooms; move classrooms for students with disabilities to the first floor. A second phase, occurring years later, would renovate the balance of both levels of the school. Diagrams of Recommended Options
Montrose Elementary
Phase 1 – Build a new stage/multipurpose space and support spaces to the west side of the existing gym, renovate the lower level to right size the cafeteria and kitchen, and move the administrative office to the lower level. The staircase of the front facade would be modified to allow ADA access to the new lower-level administrative office. A second phase, which also would occur years later, would renovate the irregular classroom configuration by adding four small additions on each corner of the building, as well as renovate the remaining spaces that were not addressed earlier. Diagrams of Recommended Options
It is noteworthy that Phase 1 options address upg
It is noteworthy that Phase 1 options address upgrades to restrooms and building ADA adequacy, as well as needed physical and mechanical upgrades to all buildings. You are encouraged to review the full report, especially Section 2, which gives more detail of the recommended options for each location.