PERRYSBURG, Ohio — Editor's note: The attached video is from a preview of the issue before election night.
In a setback for the Perrysburg school district, voters have rejected the proposed incremental operating levy. Unofficial results show the levy failing with 8,509 votes in favor and 10,128 votes against.
The levy, which aimed to replace the expiring one, was designed to fund the district’s day-to-day operating expenses, including salaries, benefits, utilities, and textbooks. It would have started with an additional $2 million in the first year and increased by $2 million each subsequent year until 2031.
The levy would have cost property owners an additional $4.20 per $100,000 of appraised home value per month beginning in the second year, with this amount increasing by $4.20 per month per $100,000 of appraised home value for each of the following six years. The failure of the levy means the district will face difficulties in addressing increasing costs and maintaining current service levels.
As the district assesses its next steps, officials will be looking at other potential funding sources and strategies to maintain essential services. The failure of the levy also means the district will need to make significant budget reductions, equivalent to the loss of 130 employees over time, impacting the educational experience for students and potentially affecting home values in the community.
The official results will be confirmed after the official canvass takes place.
Following the levy failing, the Perrysburg Superintendent Tomas L. Hosler offered the following statement to the community:
"The results of the November 5th election are final and the 9.75-mill incremental operating levy did not pass. While this outcome is not what we in the schools had hoped for, we respect the decision of the community and will move forward with the necessary planning to align our budget with the loss of approximately $13.5 million in annual revenue starting January 1, 2025.
With the impending loss of revenue, approximately 17% of the district’s operating budget, we will begin taking steps to finalize and implement the measures shared previously with the community at the October 8, 2024 Special Perrysburg Board of Education meeting. You may review the full list of cuts and reductions at https://tinyurl.com/PburgLevyFall2024, which details the impact these reductions will have on the student experience including class sizes, programming, extracurricular activities, and other essential areas.
Tomorrow morning, Wednesday, November 6, students will be back in the hallways, teachers back in the classrooms, and staff working to support and care for our students. It will be a tough day for many staff and students alike. But we will go back to doing what we do best and that is educating and caring for our students entrusted to us. Despite the outcome of the election, we are proud of those volunteers – parents, family members, community members, staff, retired staff, and board members – who engaged the community over the last several months. Our efforts fell short but our staff remains committed to serving and ensuring all students achieve their greatest potential with the resources we have.
The Perrysburg Board of Education will discuss the plans for the 2025-2026 school year in the months ahead."
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