CLEVELAND — Some major levies across Northeast Ohio passed in the election, approving more funding, saving some large area school districts and their future plans.
Cuyahoga County
Cuyahoga County voters passed the Cleveland Metro School District $295 million bond issue by 66% despite recent property reappraisals.
"The approval of this levy provides much-needed relief, allowing us to support our students more deeply and strengthen the foundations of their learning. This outcome reinforces our responsibility to manage these funds with care and precision. Our team has been preparing diligently for all outcomes, and we look forward to sharing updates on our steps to ensure financial sustainability for the district. With a commitment to transparency and based on feedback from our community, we remain dedicated to keeping families and stakeholders informed every step of the way as we deliver equitable, high-quality education for all scholars.”
Cuyahoga County is one of seven counties that completed new state-required reappraisals, with homeowners seeing their property values increase around 30% on average. Some residents were concerned that the levy could mean an increase of up to $600 yearly, on top of the reappraisals. However, the CEO of CMSD, Dr. Warren Morgan, argued it was better to vote for the levy now rather than later since it would still use old home values.
“If we were to wait and do the levy later, then it would be on the new reappraisal rates and would be even higher,” Morgan said.
Summit County
In Summit County, Akron voters voted yes to Issue 27, which approved new school taxes for the first time in 12 years. A 1.3-mill bond issue would pay for a new $85 million North High School. The district is also moving forward with a 7.6-mill operating levy to pay daily expenses.
North High leaders believe a new building is needed to replace the 93-year-old school with about 900 students, as they say there have been ongoing problems with roof leaks and ceiling tiles falling into classrooms. The levy and bond issue comes after the Akron schools cut $24 million from the budget and eliminated hundreds of jobs, including dozens of teaching positions.
"It's all about the kids and if we want a better community here in Akron, it doesn't matter if you live on the south side of town, the west side of town,” said Frank Kalain, Interim Principal, North High School. “Wherever it is, we need to make sure we take care of our kids.”
A close one
In one of the closest school ballot issue races in Northeast Ohio, voters passed Twinsburg City Schools' $107 million bond issue with 51% of voters in favor and 48% against the levy.
Failed
Two failed levies were Mansfield City School District, with 69% of voters voting no to their levy and 52% voting no to the Avon Lake City School levy.
For a complete list of election results, go here.
