Elyria City Schools is asking voters to approve a new operating levy that would bring in $11.6 million each year for the district. The proposal has drawn support from residents concerned about school programs and opposition from those who say they cannot afford higher taxes.
Revenue from the levy would cover the everyday costs of educating students, including staff, electricity and other operating needs. Superintendent Ann Schloss said the district last secured voter approval for a new operating levy 16 years ago. She described that interval as evidence that the schools have stretched their resources and managed their finances responsibly.
Schloss said the request comes amid problems with the way schools are funded. Although she acknowledged those problems, she said the district still needs a way to bring in additional money. Under the existing funding system, she said, asking voters to approve a levy is its only option for collecting new revenue.
Without additional funding, Schloss said, the district would have to cut another $8 million. Those reductions would follow $9 million in cuts already made recently. The levy decision therefore comes as the district faces the prospect of further reductions on top of savings it has already sought.
Several school offerings could be affected if the measure fails. Extracurricular activities and full-day kindergarten are among the possible cuts identified. Those potential reductions are part of the debate over whether voters should approve new operating revenue and how the schools would respond without it.
Levy supporter Chris Schneider said the community has a responsibility to support children and their future. He expressed concern that important programs and efforts within Elyria Schools could be cut, saying he did not want students to lose that support.
Mary Shufelt, who opposes the levy, said an additional tax bill would be difficult to manage in retirement. She said she lives on a fixed income and relies on Social Security. For her, the cost is a central reason to vote against the proposal.
Shufelt said people had described the increase as just $26 a month, but she emphasized that this adds up to $312 annually. Her concern about that expense contrasts with Schneider's focus on preserving school programs as voters weigh the district's request.
