GROVEPORT, Ohio (WCMH) — A number of school levies and bond issues ended up failing for districts across central Ohio, including Bond Issue 38 for Groveport Madison Schools. 

The funds would have been used to build three new middle schools and an addition to the high school. The district said two of the current middle schools have an open classroom concept, which has led to distracting learning environments and safety and security concerns.  

“I’m upset that it failed, of course,” Groveport voter Jakki Dawkins said. “I’m in favor of anything for the schools because I still have grandchildren that attend elementary school.” 

Bond Issue 38 failed on Tuesday night with unofficial election results showing a 10-point margin, 55% to 45%. 

At a district school board meeting Wednesday night, some, including Dawkins, said they were there to hear what the next steps might be for Groveport Madison, but the issue was not on the meeting’s agenda. 

Dawkins said that even before Election Day, she wasn’t feeling confident the bond issue would pass.  

“There’s a lot of talk that was taking place within the city of Groveport on the Groveport City Facebook page, so we kind of knew that it was not going to pass,” she said. 

Although she is disappointed for her grandchildren and the other students who attend the district, Dawkins said she gets why the people of Groveport didn’t want a tax increase.  

“As a homeowner, I understand,” she said. “We’re constantly being taxed. Our property taxes just went up last year. They increased and we’re not really seeing any type of residual effect for us in profit of it.” 

A district spokesperson said Groveport Madison would not be making a statement or granting an interview about the bond issue failure at this time.  

Dawkins hopes to learn more from the district soon.  

“I think that we have to look to other revenues to bring in resources to our school,” she said.