If you are interested in receiving babysitting services while attending the State of the Schools event on Wed, May 7 from 6-8 p.m. in the IMS auditorium, please fill out this form. Babysitting will be provided by members of the IHS NHS and Key Club. During the event, children will enjoy activities and a small snack! https://forms.gle/AEKKnnf1MWWn4mQd7
For those residents who were unable to visit our buildings yesterday, we want to make sure you still have a clear picture of what we shared during the tours.
Below are key stops from the Independence Primary School Building Tour that highlight current challenges within the facility:
Stop #1: Main Entrance & Security
Our current entrance lacks a secured vestibule, which is now a standard safety feature in most schools. This limits our ability to properly monitor and control visitor access.
Stop #2: Roof Issues & Water Leaks
Ongoing leaks in areas like the main lobby and bathrooms are due to an aging, multi-layered roof system that can no longer be repaired. This creates risks to both the structure and interior spaces.
Stop #3: Library in a Hallway
Due to space limitations, library services are currently held in a hallway, with the librarian working from a small closet space. This reflects the lack of adequate learning environments for students.
Stop #4: Cracks in Floors & Walls
Visible cracking in the Design Technology area points to the building’s age and may indicate deeper structural concerns.
Stop #5: Electrical Limitations
Outdated electrical systems, limited outlets, and missing modern safety features make it difficult to support today’s technology and learning needs.
Stop #6: Kitchen Limitations
The absence of a walk-in refrigerator requires daily off-site food delivery, limiting efficiency and menu options while increasing costs.
These tour stops represent just a portion of the challenges within our current facility. We remain committed to keeping our community informed as we plan for the future of our schools.
More info: https://aptg.co/6b-1dV
Below are key stops from the Independence Primary School Building Tour that highlight current challenges within the facility:
Stop #1: Main Entrance & Security
Our current entrance lacks a secured vestibule, which is now a standard safety feature in most schools. This limits our ability to properly monitor and control visitor access.
Stop #2: Roof Issues & Water Leaks
Ongoing leaks in areas like the main lobby and bathrooms are due to an aging, multi-layered roof system that can no longer be repaired. This creates risks to both the structure and interior spaces.
Stop #3: Library in a Hallway
Due to space limitations, library services are currently held in a hallway, with the librarian working from a small closet space. This reflects the lack of adequate learning environments for students.
Stop #4: Cracks in Floors & Walls
Visible cracking in the Design Technology area points to the building’s age and may indicate deeper structural concerns.
Stop #5: Electrical Limitations
Outdated electrical systems, limited outlets, and missing modern safety features make it difficult to support today’s technology and learning needs.
Stop #6: Kitchen Limitations
The absence of a walk-in refrigerator requires daily off-site food delivery, limiting efficiency and menu options while increasing costs.
These tour stops represent just a portion of the challenges within our current facility. We remain committed to keeping our community informed as we plan for the future of our schools.
More info: https://aptg.co/6b-1dV
Enrollment in Independence Local Schools has fluctuated over time. In the 1980s and early 1990s, total enrollment was at its lowest point, reaching 671 students. Enrollment increased through the late 1990s and 2000s, peaking at over 1,100 students. In recent years, enrollment has remained around 1,000 students.
Stop by our Primary and Middle School from 2–4 PM today!
We welcomed a special visitor who attended fourth grade here during the building’s very first year in 1956. He returned to walk the halls and relive cherished memories.
As you walk through today, you’ll see spaces that have served generations of students over many decades. This is an opportunity to reflect on our district’s history and observe the current condition of our facilities.
We welcomed a special visitor who attended fourth grade here during the building’s very first year in 1956. He returned to walk the halls and relive cherished memories.
As you walk through today, you’ll see spaces that have served generations of students over many decades. This is an opportunity to reflect on our district’s history and observe the current condition of our facilities.
Join us TOMORROW, Sunday, May 3 from 2-4 at IPS and IMS for building tours. Bring your neighbors...bring your questions!
Happy National Principals Day to Mrs. Jodie Hughes! Mrs. Hughes brings energy, care, and a deep commitment to our youngest learners each and every day. Her leadership helps create a warm, welcoming environment where students feel supported, encouraged, and excited to learn.
Thank you, Mrs. Hughes, for all you do for our Independence Primary School community. We appreciate you! 💙💛
Thank you, Mrs. Hughes, for all you do for our Independence Primary School community. We appreciate you! 💙💛
Join us TOMORROW - Thursday, April 30 at 7 p.m. at the Civic Center. What's the format? Q&A . . . we will answer the questions submitted over the past several months from our residents and any new ones. Hope to see you there!
Several potential locations were evaluated:
» Baseball Field Site: Not recommended due to recent investment exceeding $200,000, added replacement costs, proximity to Vineyard and Stadium Drives, increased traffic stacking risks, and reduced roadway buffers.
» Middle School Parking Lot: Considered but not preferred due to congestion risks, proximity to key exits, and reduced circulation flexibility.
The selected concept prioritizes safety, traffic flow, and long-term operational efficiency.
If the bond passes, the district will begin a formal postapproval planning process starting with an Owner–Partner Kickoff Meeting. This includes district leadership, school safety staff, police and fire departments, city engineering, traffic professionals, operations and maintenance staff, and design and construction partners. This ensures safety, emergency access, utilities, and daily operations are built into the project from the very beginning.
No. The current site plan is a preliminary conceptual study, not a final architectural or engineering design. It shows approximate building placement, traffic circulation, parking, playgrounds, bus drop-off areas, stormwater management, and field adjustments. Final engineered plans will not be developed unless voters approve the bond issue.
https://www.independence.k12.oh.us/page/future-facilities-planning
Have you watched? Take a moment to view the proposed PreK-8 school building fly around.
https://youtu.be/gtiO5GRVgAo?si=ljN0U_zKncifszrB
https://youtu.be/gtiO5GRVgAo?si=ljN0U_zKncifszrB
If approved by voters:
May 2026 approval
» Design: June 2026 – June 2027
» Construction: April 2027 – May 2029
May 2026 approval
» Design: June 2026 – June 2027
» Construction: April 2027 – May 2029
The site plan is being shared to help the community understand how a new PreK–8 building could fit on the existing campus. It is part of the district’s commitment to transparency and early communication showing feasibility, relationships between site elements, and planning considerations before any final decisions are made.
https://youtu.be/gtiO5GRVgAo?si=F4I9B2DDJDYRmzJE
https://youtu.be/gtiO5GRVgAo?si=F4I9B2DDJDYRmzJE
A new building would:
» Reduce long-term maintenance costs due to new
systems and finishes
» Meet current HVAC and air-quality codes, providing
a healthier learning environment
Utility costs may change depending on system upgrades, such as adding air conditioning where it does not currently exist.
» Reduce long-term maintenance costs due to new
systems and finishes
» Meet current HVAC and air-quality codes, providing
a healthier learning environment
Utility costs may change depending on system upgrades, such as adding air conditioning where it does not currently exist.
Yes. During the design process, which will occur after the bond is passed, cost estimates are reviewed at multiple phases. If adjustments are necessary, options may
include:
» Material selections
» System features
» Design details
» Phasing or delaying certain non-essential elements
A construction manager would work with the district throughout design to help control costs.
include:
» Material selections
» System features
» Design details
» Phasing or delaying certain non-essential elements
A construction manager would work with the district throughout design to help control costs.
Earlier concepts assumed a smaller building size. The current plan reflects a collaborative “right-sizing” process with staff and administrators to ensure appropriate classrooms, support spaces, and adjacencies needed for today’s instruction and student services. The 2019 bond process did not include a Program of Requirements, which when utilized gives accurate sizing needed.
The site plan includes:
» Separate traffic patterns for buses, parent dropoff, and staff parking, and staggered start times between buildings
» Dedicated preschool drop-off and parking
» Clear, one-way traffic flow to reduce congestion and improve safety
» Final traffic plans will continue to be coordinated with district and city partners.
» Separate traffic patterns for buses, parent dropoff, and staff parking, and staggered start times between buildings
» Dedicated preschool drop-off and parking
» Clear, one-way traffic flow to reduce congestion and improve safety
» Final traffic plans will continue to be coordinated with district and city partners.
» A resident earning $100,000 per year and owning a $100,000 market value home would pay approximately $1,026.25 per year
» A homeowner with a $100,000 market value home and no earned income would pay approximately $26.25 per year
The income tax portion applies only to earned income; it does not apply to Social Security or retirement income.
On the district website is a calculator to estimate each
individual’s cost.
https://www.independence.k12.oh.us/o/ils/page/calculator
» A homeowner with a $100,000 market value home and no earned income would pay approximately $26.25 per year
The income tax portion applies only to earned income; it does not apply to Social Security or retirement income.
On the district website is a calculator to estimate each
individual’s cost.
https://www.independence.k12.oh.us/o/ils/page/calculator
So much fun in Design Technology! First graders built animals using Magna-Tiles to go along with their animal slideshow projects. 🐢🦒
If approved by voters, the project would be funded through a combined bond issue and School District Income Tax (SDIT):
» 0.75-mill bond (property tax)
» 1.00% SDIT (earned income)
More detailed explanation and tax calculator can be found at this link:
https://www.independence.k12.oh.us/o/ils/page/calculator
» 0.75-mill bond (property tax)
» 1.00% SDIT (earned income)
More detailed explanation and tax calculator can be found at this link:
https://www.independence.k12.oh.us/o/ils/page/calculator
