Independence Local Schools

The total estimated project cost is $59.5 million which
includes:
» Building construction: $53,350,250
» Site improvements and utilities: $4,000,000
» Abatement and demolition: $2,002,837

This is an all-in estimate that includes:
» Construction and site work
» Furniture and built-in classroom technology (such as monitors/projectors)
» Technology infrastructure (cabling, Wi-Fi, network systems)
» Contingencies (approximately 8.5%)

1. Does this apply only to homeowners?
No. The SDIT is not tied to home ownership. It applies to residents of the school district who earn income from work and have a W-2. regardless of whether they own or rent a home. This means that individuals who live in the District but do not own property would still contribute, helping reduce the reliance on property taxes alone.

2. Does it apply to all working adults in the household?
Yes. The SDIT applies individually to each working adult who earns income and resides in the District. Each person pays based on their own earned income—not total household income—and it is typically withheld automatically through payroll, similar to other income taxes.

3. How many years is this for?
The bond portion of the funding plan is tied to the life of the bond (approximately 30 years). The SDIT itself is also 30 years but, it can be reduced in the future. This structure provides flexibility if the District’s financial needs or community circumstances change over time.

4. What happens if homeowners retire during that time period?
If a resident retires and no longer earns income from work, they would no longer pay the SDIT, because the tax applies only to earned income. It does not apply to Social Security, pensions, retirement income, interest, dividends, or capital gains. This is one of the key reasons the District chose this approach—it helps protect retirees and others on fixed incomes. If an individual retires in 10 years, they only pay SDIT for 10 years.

To help residents better understand the potential impact, the District has also created an online SDIT calculator, which is available on our facilities website.

https://www.independence.k12.oh.us/o/ils/page/calculator

The calculator allows individuals to estimate their personal cost over a specific number of years based on their earned income, providing a clearer picture of how the SDIT may affect them over time.

This combined approach—using a small 0.75-mill property tax instead of a much larger property levy, along with an earned-income-only SDIT—was intentionally designed to spread costs more fairly, reduce the burden on homeowners, and better protect seniors.

The layout reflects extensive input from teachers, administrators, and staff and supports:
» Small-group and project-based learning
» Dedicated STEM and science spaces for elementary and middle school students
» Special education and student support spaces in both school areas
» A two-story media center with age-appropriate uses
» Wider corridors and flexible areas for informal learning and collaboration

https://www.independence.k12.oh.us/page/future-facilities-planning

Find out your estimated cost by using this tax calculator:

https://www.independence.k12.oh.us/o/ils/page/calculator

The Board of Education has approved a Resolution of Necessity to place a school facilities funding issue on the May 5, 2026, Primary Election ballot. If approved by voters, the funding would support the construction of a new PreK–8 school building on the district campus.

The proposed building would be approximately 125,530 square feet and designed as two schools under one roof:

» Elementary (PreK–5) and Middle School (6–8) students would have separate wings, entrances, and administrative areas
» Shared “core” spaces (media center, arts, STEM, common areas) would sit between the two schools
» A secure connector would allow middle school students continued access to limited high school resources when appropriate

https://youtu.be/gtiO5GRVgAo?si=9wpMxPvXmAY3DL41

https://www.independence.k12.oh.us/page/future-facilities-planning

Did you know we have a YouTube channel playlist specific for the proposed PreK-8 school building? Be sure to take some time to watch these videos.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL4aBBN8-oG0LXaAyMeT7OyAqT-CRb3IA

Independence Local Schools’ current primary school (built in 1956) and middle school (built in 1961) are more than 60 years old. Independent facilities assessments found that renovating these buildings to meet current educational standards, safety codes, and accessibility requirements would cost nearly $63 million and would still leave long-term limitations.

A new PreK–8 school with two buildings under one roof estimated at $59.5 million would:

» Cost less long-term than renovating and maintaining two aging buildings

» Better support today’s teaching methods, student services, and safety expectations

» Allow the PreK–8 school to be located next to the high school for shared resources and smoother student transitions

Mark your calendars! Bring your questions...tour our primary and middle schools. We hope to see you on April 30 and May 3.

Today we celebrate the incredible administrative professionals who help keep Independence Local Schools running smoothly each and every day. 🌟

From welcoming families and supporting students to organizing schedules, answering questions, and solving problems big and small, our administrative staff are the backbone of our schools. Their kindness, professionalism, and dedication make a difference in ways that often happen behind the scenes but are felt by everyone.

Thank you for all you do to support our students, staff, and community. We are so grateful for you today and every day. 💙

Happy Administrative Professionals Day!

Kindergarten is where big adventures begin!

At Independence Local Schools, our youngest learners build friendships, discover new skills, and grow in confidence every single day. From learning letters and numbers to exploring through play, kindergarten is the start of an exciting journey.

Now is the time to register your child for kindergarten for the 2026–2027 school year. We cannot wait to welcome your family to our school community! Call us at 216-642-5870 for more information.

https://youtube.com/shorts/5Amded6YCSA

The IHS Top Chef Desserts and Iron Chef classes visit the West Side Market and Little Italy today!

During National Volunteer Week, we proudly recognize the many volunteers who give their time, energy, and hearts to support Independence Local Schools. 💙

Whether you are helping in classrooms, supporting school events, chaperoning field trips, or lending a hand behind the scenes, your generosity makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and staff. Our schools are stronger because of you.

Thank you for being such an important part of our Blue Devil community. We appreciate you this week and all year long.

Our kindergarten classrooms are buzzing with learning this morning!

Students are hard at work practicing their cutting and coloring skills while learning the word “where,” building both literacy and fine motor skills along the way. At the same time, other students are diving into iReady Reading, working through leveled lessons that meet them right where they are as readers.

We love seeing our youngest learners growing their skills, confidence, and independence every day! 🌟

Our students are excited to help you with your tech needs this afternoon at the Civic Center! Feel free to stop by with your phone, tablet, or other devices!

Mrs. Whitacre's class had a spring baking contest...congrats to the winners!

Childcare will be available tonight for our State of the Schools presentation! Hope to see you at 7 p.m. in the Independence Middle School auditorium.

The IPS Art Club wrapped up today, and what a creative finish it was! Students explored the art of sublimation, designing and creating one-of-a-kind projects that truly showed off their creativity. From personalized key chains and custom money jars to colorful tumblers, each piece was as unique as the artist who made it.

We are so proud of our young creators for their imagination, hard work, and willingness to try something new. Way to go, IPS Art Club! 🖌️💙

Spread the word! Independence Local Schools will be at this job fair. You can register to attend here: https://tinyurl.com/ESCJobFair2026

✈️ STEAM in Action at Independence Primary School! This week in STEAM, students in Michele Crum’s class put their creativity and engineering skills to the test. Inspired by "Rosie Revere, Engineer" by Andrea Beaty, students explored how engineers design, test, and improve their ideas.

Students began by designing paper airplanes, working to improve accuracy and precision with each flight. Then they took their learning a step further by building something that “goes” using simple motors and circuits. From airplanes and cars to some truly unique creations, students experimented with design, problem-solved along the way, and discovered how creativity and engineering work together.

Hands-on learning like this encourages curiosity, perseverance, and innovation — just like Rosie Revere! 🚀