News Summary
The Logan County School Board has approved a Nickel Tax initiative for the November election to fund the construction of a new Auburn Elementary School. This tax aims to generate over one million dollars annually for educational facilities, addressing the growing needs of the district. Superintendent Dan Costellow highlighted the challenges of overcrowding and the necessity for modern facilities as current structures are outdated. Community engagement and support are essential for the proposal’s success, which, if passed, could expedite the construction timeline significantly.
Logan City: School Board Approves Nickel Tax for Auburn Elementary Construction on November 2026 Ballot
The Logan County School Board has officially approved placing a construction Nickel Tax initiative on the ballot for the upcoming November 2026 election, aiming to secure funding for Auburn Elementary School. This decision was made during a board meeting on August 26, 2025, marking a significant step toward addressing the district’s growing needs.
Purpose and Scope of the Nickel Tax Proposal
The proposed Nickel Tax is designed to generate over one million dollars annually dedicated solely to educational facilities, including maintenance, repairs, and new construction projects within the district. As each school district in Kentucky is permitted to have one nickel tax, this initiative would increase the district’s school tax rate to approximately 52.2 cents per hundred dollars of property valuation. This increase represents more than a 4% rise from the last year’s tax rate, which had recently been recalled following community opposition.
Why the New Tax Is Necessary
Superintendent Dan Costellow highlighted that Auburn Elementary School has experienced an average annual growth of about 30 students over the past four years. Although recent redistricting efforts have alleviated some overcrowding, they have not fully mitigated ongoing student population increases. To accommodate this growth and maintain safe and effective learning environments, the district needs a new, modern facility.
The current Auburn Elementary building, which features sections dating back to 1958, is outdated and limits renovation options. The new school is planned to be constructed on a 30-acre property outside Auburn. The building’s age and condition make repairs challenging, further emphasizing the need for a new facility to support sustainable growth and enhance student safety.
Community Response and Voting Process
The proposal has faced community scrutiny, leading to a petition challenge that successfully gathered enough signatures to require a public vote. The district is working to provide adequate information to the community, aiming to transform opposition into support by emphasizing the importance of high-quality educational infrastructure for student success.
If the Nickel Tax does not pass, the district may need to resort to redistricting—redistribution of students among existing schools—to prevent overcrowding at Auburn Elementary. Such measures could involve relocating some students to other schools in the district, potentially affecting community members and stoke further debate about district planning and resource allocation.
Funding and Future Timeline
Replacing the outdated Auburn Elementary with a new facility is projected to take up to three years if funded through the nickel tax. Without this funding mechanism, the construction timeline could extend to ten years or more, delaying critical improvements and upgrades to educational environments.
District Context and State Comparison
Logan County’s current school district tax rates rank among the lowest in the state, placing in the bottom 12% of Kentucky districts. The proposed increase aims to improve the district’s standing, shifting it from rank 151 to 130 out of 171 districts, which would reflect increased investment and better funding for school facilities across the county.
Conclusion
The decision to place the construction Nickel Tax on the November 2026 ballot represents the district’s effort to address capacity issues and outdated facilities at Auburn Elementary. The district emphasizes that informing and engaging the community remains essential to gaining support for this critical funding measure. If successful, the new Auburn Elementary is expected to be operational within three years, significantly improving educational infrastructure for Logan County’s students.
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Additional Resources
- WBKO: Logan County Schools Vote on Construction Nickel Tax
- Wikipedia: Nickel Tax
- Franklin Favorite: Another Relevant News Article
- Google Search: Logan County Schools Nickel Tax
- News Channel Nebraska: Logan County Encourages Extension of Sales Tax
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Finance
- WBKO: New Logan County Nickel Tax Added to Fund Area Schools
- Google News: Logan County Schools
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VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and the American Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Virginia Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visit Virginia Beach, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense that power the local economy such as the Virginia Beach Convention Center and Northrop Grumman. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
