XENIA — While the presidential primaries have take center stage this election season, Xenia Community School District officials don’t want voters to forget about a critical levy on the March ballot.

Citizens will be asked to vote on Issue 10, a 1.3-mill, 5-year permanent improvement renewal levy. Originally approved by voters in 1986, the levy will generate $479,783 for the district.

Passage will result in no new or higher taxes according to school officials. The owner of a $100,000 home will pay $1.66 per month, the same amount that was paid 30 years ago.

As a permanent improvement levy, the money can only be used for building repairs, replacements and other permanent improvements. By law, PI funds can not be used for salaries or other day-to-day operating costs.

The district has 715,000 square feet of building space to maintain, according to Superintendent Denny Morrison. The money the levy generates is not a lot for that kind of square footage, he added, so the district is using the funds strategically.

“We’re not doing anything lavish right now,” Morrison said.

Some projects completed from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015 using the PI funds include repairs and replacements to exterior door at Xenia High School and Central Middle School/Preschool; computer lab electrical needs at CMS and XHS; replacing the hot water boiler and damper at WMS; repairing roof drains and water lines at WMS; replacing the condensing unit at WMS and repairing gas lines; and replacing restroom stalls and adding ADA-compliant bathrooms.

If the levy fails, Morrison vowed not to let the buildings fall into disrepair. Money would be taken from the general operating fund to maintain buildings, which would then reduce the district’s ability to provide other services.