Which central Ohio school levies were approved by voters

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Several public school districts is central Ohio were asking for funds this election season through levies and bond issues.

Many levies and bonds will express cost in millage, the rate property is taxed in Ohio, rather than a dollar value. A mill is defined as one-tenth of a cent, and millage is the factor applied to a property’s assessed value to calculate tax revenue. The amount in dollars is then typically expressed as how much money someone would own per $100,000 of their home's appraisal value, which is calculated by each county auditor.

Bexley City School District -- Issue 36

With 100% of the precincts counted, Bexley schools’ 15 mills levy appears to be headed for passage with 56.9% of the vote.

The levy was the most costly school ballot issue for taxpayers in central Ohio. According to the district, the levy will fund Bexley’s current operations and prevent between 30 and 60 staff cuts. Since 1968, the district has only had two levies fail, according to Bexley’s 2019 levy report. Both were operating levies, one in May 1994 and one in May 2003. 

The district said it tried to ease the weight of the levy by phasing it in over five years, with taxpayers owing $175 per $100,000 of their home’s appraised value and an additional $88 per $100,000 each year through 2029. Still, some taxpayers voiced concerns about the $527 per $100,000 they will owe annually once Issue 36 is fully phased in, especially with a facilities levy expected as early as next November’s election.

Buckeye Valley Local School District

With 100% of the precincts counted, Buckeye Valley’s 4.46 mills bond levy appears to be headed toward failure.

The $100 million bond levy was requested to fund the construction of a new high school, and arts and athletic spaces. The district said the bond levy would have cost taxpayers $156 per $100,000 of their home's appraisal value each year once it’s phased in. 

Without the levy, the district will have to find other ways to address its growing enrollment numbers, which it said are causing its schools to near their capacity. 

Grandview Heights City School District -- Issue 37

Grandview Heights’ nearly $70 million bond levy appears to be heading for passage with 100% of the precincts counted.

The funds will go toward building a new elementary school and improving the district’s athletic complex. According to the district, the levy will cost taxpayers $243 per $100,000 of their home's appraisal value annually. 

The new elementary school will replace the nearly 100-year-old Stevenson Elementary, which district representatives said can no longer accommodate the needs of 21st Century students. The athletic complex is nearly 80 years old, and will receive $17.3 million of the $70 million generated under the bond levy for renovations.

Groveport Madison Local School District -- Issue 38

With 100% of the precincts counted, Groveport Madison's $17.3 million bond issue appears to be headed toward failure with 55% of the vote against it.

The district said it would have used the 2.44 mills ballot issue to build three new middle schools. According to Groveport Madison schools, two of its three middle schools currently have an open floor concept, which leads to safety concerns and distractions. 

Without the funds, the district cannot finance these construction projects, as its operating levy cannot fund construction. The district will likely have to return to the drawing board or request funding in the future, especially as district administrators have said the construction of new buildings is cheaper than renovating the current schools.

Hilliard City School District -- Issue 39

With 94% of the precincts counted, Hilliard schools' combined 6.9 mills operating levy and 1.84 mills bond issue is still close, but appears to be headed toward passage with 53.2% in favor.

This issue would cost taxpayers $242 per $100,000 of their home's appraisal value. The district said the levy would fund a continuation of its current operations, while the bond issue would pay for the construction of three new elementary schools.

Some taxpayers voiced concerns about the cost and alleged the district should cut spending, pointing to staff hired using COVID-19 one-time funding. However, Hilliard City Schools said the funds are crucial and would prevent predicted budget cuts, which include cutting nearly 100 staff positions and drastically increasing pay-to-participate fees for extracurriculars.

Madison-Plains Local School District

With 89% of the precincts accounted for, Madison-Plain’s combined $35 million students bond issue and $233,000 levy appears to be headed toward failure with 61% of the vote against.

The funding – which would have cost taxpayers $151 per $100,000 of their home’s appraisal value – was requested to build a new school for grades K-8. Instead, the intermediate structure housing fourth through sixth graders will remain for now, as will the trailers housing all other grades below high school. 

Those against the bond-levy said they were concerned that the district had not presented clear building plans or met with a contractor. Others said the 37-year duration of the tax was too long for them to agree to.

Marysville Exempted Village School District

With 100% of the precincts counted, Marysville’s 5.5 mills emergency operating levy is expected to fail for the village’s school district.

The levy would have cost $192.50 per $100,000 of each taxpayer’s appraised home value each year. The funds were requested to continue the district’s current operations.

With the levy’s failure, the district said there will be budget cuts. It said it will increase pay-to-participate fees to $770 with no family cap and cut 30 staff positions. It will also implement an immediate hiring freeze and instant elimination of its school resource officer program. 

New Albany-Plain Local School District -- Issue 40

New Albany-Plain schools asked for a $135 million bond issue to build a new elementary school, labs and common areas, and renovate other district facilities. The district said the bond issue's timing may result in a net tax decrease for residents who have paid into the expiring Community Authority tax. Those who have paid are asked to continue paying 1.45 of the expiring 1.95 mills to fund the district, while those who are not paying into the Community Authority would owe $50.75 per $100,000 of their home's appraisal value.

Reynoldsburg City School District -- Issue 41

Reynoldsburg schools asked for a 6.65 mills levy to continue funding its current operations, which would cost taxpayers $233 per $100,000 of their home's appraisal value. Reynoldsburg said if the levy fails, the district would limit staff salaries and benefits and cut extracurricular funding. Those against Issue 41 said they are concerned about the district overspending, but Reynoldsburg schools said the annual $8.5 million revenue is needed.

Westerville City School District -- Issue 44

With 100% of the precincts accounted for, Westerville schools’ combined 1.66 mills bond issue and 4.9 mills operating levy appears to be headed for failure.

The operating levy would have continued to fund the district’s current operations, and the bond issue was planned to fund renovations and additions at four schools, according to the district. Issue 44 would have cost taxpayers $172 per $100,000 of their home’s appraised value each year.

Opponents of the issue said they felt the district should be more careful with its spending, and some said they did not agree with the district’s choice to remove a religious release policy. Without the approved tax funding, the district will have to address a predicted $20.8 million revenue shortfall to continue providing its current services. Westerville schools also said it will return to the community for more input and will delay facility projects.