[ back ]
Newbury Oks levy West G loses
(by Sue Hoffman - November 11, 2011)
Newbury Oks levy West G loses
By SUE HOFFMAN
School levies had mixed results in Geauga County Tuesday. Newbury School District voters approved the renewal of a 4.5-mill, five-year operating levy that did not raise taxes, while West Geauga voters turned down a 0.95-mill permanent-improvement levy for the second time.
The Newbury levy passed, 1,227-1,022, with 55 percent voter approval, according to unofficial election results. The levy, first passed in 1992, provides the district with $800,000 annually and costs homeowners $137.81 for every $100,000 of valuation.
"Our community has shown its support of the school system, and we're grateful," Newbury School Superintendent Richard Wagner said. "With this economy, we're gratified that voters allowed us to collect that revenue."
The Newbury district, which has been cutting its budget for the past 10 years, now faces further revenue reductions from the state and federal government, school officials said.
The West Geauga levy was defeated with a 3,512-3,927 vote, receiving only 47 percent approval by voters. The levy would have generated $631,480 annually for school facility maintenance and cost homeowners $29 per year per $100,000 of valuation.
"We're disappointed it didn't pass," West Geauga School Board President William Beers said. "We responded to the community's request to limit the levy to five years. Obviously, it was not enough."
Voters turned down a 0.95-mill permanent-improvement levy last May that would not have needed renewal. They also rejected a 1.12-mill bond issue in November 2010 which would have been used for facility maintenance.
Mr. Beers said essential repairs must be done. "We'll have to look at reductions in staff and programs to fund the most critical safety issues," he said.
The levy was to be used to replace roofs nearing the end of their cycle, as well as rooftop heating units, and resurface parking lots that have weather-related damage and high volume of traffic. School officials also were looking to replace exterior tiles at the high school and middle school with a more durable product.
[ back ]
