TOLEDO, Ohio — The superintendent of Findlay City Schools wants voters to consider a scenario when deciding whether to vote in favor of a 1% income tax levy on the November ballot: the cost of living rises annually, but your income doesn't, so you work with a little less every year.
"Our enrollment has gone down, our board of education has closed various facilities, as people have retired or moved on to other positions, at times over these past 20 years we have not been able to backfill those positions," said Andy Hatton. "As we've tightened our belts and tightened our belts and made cuts over time, we're simply at a point where we're not able to cut our way to excellence."
He said the district has tried to pull itself out of this situation before. In 2020, the district submitted property tax levies three times, but voters shot each one down.
"The voters spoke loud and clear and said no to property tax," Hatton said.
The rejections were a wake-up call for the district, so the board of education went back to the drawing board and believe the new income tax levy will be more palatable to voters.
"Nearly 30% of our residents that live in our district are on fixed incomes, so a 1% earned income tax does not tax things like social security, pensions, IRAs, disability, alimonies, those kinds of things, and so we thought it was the most fair and equitable approach," Hatton said.
It's the district's last-ditch effort to win over the Flag City. If it doesn't pass Hatton, says the next round of cuts would likely be painful.
"The first round of cuts would have to be about $5 million — 20-25 teachers, four or five administrators, 25 supplemental positions, maybe considering half-day kindergarten," he said.
WTOL 11 went to the Hancock County Board of Elections on Wednesday to ask early voters about their thoughts on the levy.
Pam Kohl said she voted yes because "I believe that was the right thing to do."
Kimberly Caton also voted for the levy and said "I have grandchildren that go there, and I believe it's good for the kids and they need more than what they have at this point in time."
I have a grandson in 6th grade, and he is in a wheelchair, and he has had the most fabulous aides, and I couldn't say enough about Findlay schools, I'm worried if the levy doesn't pass, he won't have his aide," said Becky Stacy.