Why must the district pave all of its parking lots, and why do the lockers in a 14-year-old high school need to be replaced?

And if voters do approve the Worthington schools "no new millage" bond issue on Nov. 7, when will additional money be needed to keep up with the district's capital needs?

Those were a few of the questions asked of school officials on Monday evening at the second community forum to address the upcoming issue, which would raise up to $37.5-million over five years to purchase buses and computers and to repair school facilities.

The forum attracted eight community members. At the first forum, on Oct. 12, only three residents showed up.

Supt. of Schools Melissa Conrath reviewed the history and need for the bond issue, then took questions.

Resident Cal Taylor asked why district officials thought it necessary to repave all parking lots, since some of them look better than most driveways.

Facilities director Tim Gehring said that the repaving would be done over the life of the bonds.

"I see that as one of the main infrastructures that we want to maintain," he said.

Taylor also questioned spending $750,000 to replace the lockers at Worthington Kilbourne High School.

Lockers at some schools must be replaced because parts are no longer available, Gehring said. That is not so at Kilbourne, he acknowledged, but the lockers have seen much wear and tear since the school opened in 1992.

"Lockers are one of the most abused items in any building," Gehring said.

Conrath said Taylor was correct in pointing out that additional capital improvements funds will be needed before the bonds would be paid off in 2024.

As the debt decreases, the board could consider another restructuring or asking voters for a permanent improvements levy to provide ongoing dollars for upkeep of district property, she said.

Voters turned down a permanent improvements levy last May. By a 60-40 margin, a 6.25-mill combination operating levy and permanent improvements levy (1.25 mills for improvements) was defeated.

That would have raised $11.4-million over five years for capital needs and was "based on what was palatable to voters," Conrath said.

The new proposal is responsive to voters because it allows the district to address capital needs while being "more fiscally conservative," she said.

Besides allowing the district to purchase buses, computers and equipment and make repairs to facilities, the bond issue would reduce spending from the operating fund by $10-million over five years, treasurer Jonathan Boyd said.

That means when the school board returns to voters for an operating levy -- probably in 2007 -- the millage will be less because of the "no new millage" bond issue, he said.

The district will know more about the possible size and timing of the next operating levy after Boyd presents his updated five-year financial forecast at the school board meeting next Monday.