Cleveland schools levy shows strong support in early voting

CLEVELAND, Ohio — As polls closed and early returns were released, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District's 11.25-mill tax increase was winning, with 65% of votes for it and 35% of votes against it.

Cleveland schools asked for two tax increases, presented to voters as a single question on the ballot: a 10-year tax to generate an estimated $52 million per year, and a bond issue to borrow $295 million to build new buildings and improve existing ones.

The 10-year levy would cost $301 annually for each $100,000 of a property's appraised value, according to the county's estimate. The owner of a median Cleveland home would expect to pay $240 per year, according to a news release from the school district. Over 35 years, the bond issue would cost $93 annually for each $100,000 of a property's value.

Voters did not have a chance to vote on each tax separately. CMSD packaged them together under one ballot question, meaning both or neither will pass.

The CMSD tax increase will help the district at a time when it faces a funding gap, the district says, due in large part to one-time federal coronavirus funds that have been committed and spent.

In several other Cuyahoga County communities — including Mayfield, Richmond Heights and Strongsville — voters were asked to approve proposed tax increases to fund a new elementary school, improved school security, extra student extracurriculars and more.

Mayfield City Schools

In early voting, the Mayfield schools levy was in a close race, with 56% of votes for it and 44% of votes against it.

The district asked voters to approve an additional continuing 5-mill tax for the purpose of current expenses. Its estimated levy will collect $7.743 million annually, costing $175 annually for each $100,000 of a property's value appraised by the county.

The estimates for the cost to homeowners are based on home values for this past year, before the recent Cuyahoga County reappraisals.

Tax requests are for set amounts of total money sought, not a particular rate.

If the levy fails, Mayfield schools are projected to begin deficit spending next year by $1.5 million, with immediate budget reductions, school officials said.

"This levy is vital for maintaining Mayfield Schools' daily operations and ensuring that teachers and staff continue to deliver high-quality education and prepare our students for their futures," school officials said on the district website.

Richmond Heights Local Schools

The Richmond Heights combination property and earned income tax levy had 66.6% votes against and 33.7% for the measure in early voting.

The Richmond Heights school district wanted voters to approve a combination property and earned income tax levy.

The first is a continuing annual income tax of 1.25% on the school district income of individuals and estates beginning Jan. 1. The money will be used for current expenses.

The second is a bond issue to build school facilities and renovate and expand existing buildings, including under a program of the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission. The district would borrow $15,445,000, to be repaid annually over a maximum period of 37 years. It's estimated the bond issue will cost $113 for each $100,000 of a property's value appraised by the county.

The combined levies would generate about $30 million for construction a new elementary school, and $1.4 million annually for operating the district.

"The elementary roof, boiler and pipe issues have cost $1.5 million in repairs in the last few years," Richmond Heights school officials said on the district website.

If the levy fails, the district's latest five-year forecast shows a revenue deficit of about $1.2 million in fiscal year 2025, school officials said. The last ballot issue to pass was in 2017; that revenue was used to update the secondary school.

Strongsville City Schools

Strongsville's levy had 63% votes against and 37% in favor, in early voting.

The district asked for a 4.9-mill continuing additional tax for current expenses. It's estimated the levy will collect $9.23 million annually, costing $172 annually for each $100,000 of property value.

Passage of the levy would allow Strongsville schools to eliminate the majority of student fees, pay-to-participate and trainer fees for athletics and tuition for full-day kindergarten, along with maintaining $4.2 million for student opportunities, Strongsville school officials said.

Those student opportunities include the addition of a music production lab, gifted program coordinator, district social workers, more intramurals and extracurriculars, and more.

Failure of the levy would lead to reductions in class offerings, larger class sizes, staff reductions, increases in fees and reduction of student extracurriculars, and reduction in transportation.

Levy failure would also lead to $3 million in budget cuts for the 2025-26 school year, and doubling every year afterwards, Strongsville school officials said.

Julie Washington covers healthcare for cleveland.com. Read previous stories at this link.