TOLEDO, Ohio — The Ohio primary is on March 19 and an operating levy for the Ottawa Hills Local School District that Superintendent Adam Fineske said is crucial to everyday operations will be on the ballot.
The 12.9-mill levy was rejected from the November ballot by the Lucas County Board of Elections due to a typo in what the levy would have cost the owner of a $100,000 home.
If the levy is approved, it would bring in $2.3 million to the district per year, according to Fineske.
Ottawa Hills residents WTOL 11 spoke with said they were well aware of the levy's history, but that they supported it.
"I'm in support of the levy," said Mary Bryant, an Ottawa Hills resident of more than 20 years. "I feel like it's important we pass it this time around."
Bryant said she wants the levy to pass so the school can keep its high ranking in the state.
According to Niche.com, which provides profiles on every school in America, Ottawa Hills ranks No. 37 in the best school districts in Ohio.
"Just to keep it at that level I feel like this levy is important to pass,” Bryant said.
Jessica Meade, a parent in the school district, said passing the levy is important for keeping everything the district offers its students.
"We don't want to lose the valuable programming that we have for our students, small class sizes and everything, and so many unique offerings that make our school district one of the best in the state,” she said.
Fineske said the district has seen a jump in enrollment in the last four years, adding 160 new students.
"The impact of the student growth really came out of COVID and the success that our district had during that time has made a big impact on the budget,” he said.
If voters reject the levy, Fineske said the district's budget would take a hit.
"Unfortunately, if it doesn't pass we will have to make about $1.5 million in cuts which will impact our district in many ways,” he said.
He said the high school would have to cut at least three full-time teachers, funding for two varsity sports would be lost and new classroom purchases would have to be delayed.
The district also cut jobs after the levy was rejected from the November ballot.
"We need their support," Fineske said of voters. "We are asking for what we need to keep us where we are at and move us forward with even more success and we are hoping to see that support come March 19."
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