CLEVELAND (WJW) — Early voting for the March 19 primary is underway and in Cuyahoga County, turnout surpassed numbers from the same day during the last presidential primary.
Three school districts in Cuyahoga County including Brooklyn, Cuyahoga Heights and Richmond Heights are making the pitch to pass bond issues and levies.
“Critical right now, haven’t passed a levy initiative in 12 years,” said Tom Evans, Superintendent of Cuyahoga Heights Schools.
Evans said dwindling state funding and increasing costs are the reasons the district needs voter support. The district is on the ballot with a proposed $8 million tax levy that would generate $3.5 million and cost $280 for a $100,000 home.
The “blue collar” community, as Evans described it, has a high school that is nearly 90 years old. The funds generated would go toward the maintenance of buildings and operating expenses. If the levy fails to pass, programs could be cut among other areas.
“70% of our expenses are salary and benefits so that’s where we would have to start,” said Evans.
Brooklyn City Schools have a $20 million bond issue on the ballot. It would cost $104 for a $100,000 home. Funding would go towards renovations at the high school campus, athletic facility, and community walking path in addition to other facilities.
Bond and tax levies for Richmond Heights schools are on the ballot this March as well. The bond issue seeks $15.4 million to build and renovate facilities including an athletic facility with a track and football field for school and community use. Two district levies would also collect $1.3 million and $1.4 million annually and cost the homeowner of a 100,000 dollar home $196 and $205.
Evans said limited state funding forced the district to turn to voters for support.
“State voucher money … the state’s giving about $8,500 for students to go to nonpublic schools,” Evans said. “If we receive that type of funding from the state we wouldn’t be on the ballot. We receive just over $800 per student. We’re about the third lowest in the state. We’re one of three districts that will receive less than a million dollars from the state of Ohio this year, that’s pretty frustrating on our end.”