Board OKs Levy Request for May Ballot
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Board OKs Levy Request for May Ballot
The Lakewood City Schools Board of Education voted unanimously Monday, Feb. 2, to place an operating levy on the Primary Election ballot. Election Day is May 5. The 6.9-mill levy would provide funding for general operating and current expenses. This levy request marks the first time the District has been on the ballot in more than six years.
“This levy is aimed at maintaining quality education for the students and families we serve,” Superintendent Maggie Niedzwiecki said. “If approved, it will provide the funding our district needs to retain and attract talented teachers to Lakewood.”
In addition to teacher and staff wages, the levy would fund other core operational costs like educational programming and keeping technology, safety, and security up to date. Local funds account for 60% of the District’s budget.
The levy would cost property owners in Lakewood an additional $14 per month per $100,000 of property valuation, per the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer. Collections would begin in calendar year 2027.
Because of expiring debts coming off the District’s financial books, the millage levied on taxpayers would be 4.9 mills instead of the 6.9 mills voters will see on the ballot. This is because the District cannot change rates among its revenue sources – the law instead requires voters to approve a separate tax.
“We worked hard to reduce costs in the six years since we were last on the ballot, but levy funds do not account for inflation,” Board President Betsy Shaughnessy said. “We do not take approaching voters with a request lightly, but we know that more local funding is needed to keep up with the costs of staffing, programming, and technology.”
The District’s most recent five-year forecast projects that expenditures will outpace revenues by 10% next year without additional funding. The District also is uncertain about how much it will receive from state and federal governments in the future.
“Levy dollars from our community comprise more than half of our budget,” Shaughnessy said. “Without additional funding, the state mandates that we will need to show immediate reductions. We want to avoid any major changes or disruptions to the education we deliver to Lakewood families. This levy would help our district preserve what we have.”
To participate in the upcoming election, Lakewood residents must be registered to vote by April 6. Early voting begins on April 7.