PERRYSBURG, Ohio — Perrysburg and Anthony Wayne school districts were hoping to expand to better accommodate their students, but the votes were not on their side in Tuesday's general election.
"If it hadn't been for my education, I wouldn't be who I am," said 77-year-old Mike Barthold, who has lived in Perrysburg since he was four.
He said his mother was a teacher and the community has always supported the schools until voters rejected the bond issue which sought to build a new elementary school and add more classrooms to its existing buildings.
He blames newer Perrysburg residents for not keeping this tradition.
"We are losing the power of our community to a lot of people whose families have never lived in this town," Barthold said. "it's a statement of how we are living today and I just have to live through that."
Phyllis Reynolds lives and votes in Toledo but was in Perrysburg on Wednesday visiting friends.
She said she's not surprised that some districts had trouble getting voters to approve new funding.
"I think it's a hard financial time right now," Reynolds said. "I think people are being very careful with their money and we are not sure where inflation is going to go or how the immediate future is going to progress, and I think people are a little weary about not putting more money into schools at the present time."
Leaders for both Perrysburg and Anthony Wayne schools say they are still committed to pursuing their mission and doing the best they can with what they are given.
Perrysburg's 5.95-mill bond issue sought to raise $140 million over 36 years for construction and improvement of school facilities. It's estimated the owner of a home valued at $250,000 dollars would be paying more than $500 a year.
Anthony Wayne had two different measures on the ballot that would have covered current expenses of the school district and construction of a multi-purpose athletics stadium and improvements for existing buildings.
But since all three ballot items failed, district leaders are now left to figure out why and decide what to do from here.
Jim Fritz, superintendent for Anthony Wayne Local Schools, provided the following statement:
"This election will have a major influence on the direction of the Anthony Wayne Local Schools moving forward. The District administration and staff look forward to working with the newly elected board of education members as they start their terms in January.
The new operational levy and bond issue were key elements to provide an environment that allows all students to be future ready. Regardless of the outcome of the vote for these two critical issues, the District administration and staff will work with the newly elected board members to set a new path to accomplish our District mission.
Only through collaboration and non-partisan actions can we as a community come together and provide an educational experience that allows AWLS students to be future ready."
Perrysburg Schools Superintendent Tom Hosler also said his district remains dedicated to its mission, providing the following statement:
"I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated volunteers and community members who worked to support our bond issue for the much-needed construction of a new elementary school, expansion of classrooms in three other elementary schools and the addition of 36 classrooms at the high school. I am also very proud of the community group that spent more than 14 months studying our school district’s challenges related to student population growth to bring forth their recommendation to the Board of Education. Your collective commitment to our students and their educational future is appreciated.
While we had hoped for a different outcome, the result of the recent election was clear, and we respect that decision. Perrysburg Schools remains steadfast in our commitment to providing the best possible educational opportunity we can for our students. Together, we will continue to make a positive impact on the lives of the young minds in our care."