Northwestern, Wayne County Joint Vocational School District seek levy renewals
Reported byAshland SourceBy Hayden Gray (opens in a new tab)
AI-assisted summary
Two Ohio school entities will ask voters in November to renew existing property tax levies. Northwestern Local Schools, based in West Salem, wants to renew a fixed-sum levy that voters first approved in 2016 as a 10-year emergency levy. The district says it brings in about $456,400 a year for staffing, programs and daily operations. Voters in Ashland and Wayne counties rejected the renewal in the May primary, with 699 votes against and 548 in favor. County auditor estimates put the cost at $63 per $100,000 of property value. As a renewal, it is not a new tax and would not raise homeowners' taxes, according to the district. If approved, it would run five years starting in 2026, with collection beginning in 2027. The district says the money cannot go to building or permanent improvement projects.
The article cites the Ohio School Boards Association as saying that, because of recent legislative changes, emergency and substitute levies can no longer appear on the ballot. Expiring emergency levies can instead be renewed as fixed-sum levies, which last five years and can be renewed repeatedly by voters.
The Wayne County Joint Vocational School District is seeking renewal of a 0.5-mill, five-year levy for facilities, technology and equipment for career and workforce training. Three Ashland County precincts will vote on it Nov. 3. The county auditor says it generates $1,480,860 a year and costs $11 per $100,000 of market value. The district says the funds cannot cover salaries, benefits or operating costs. If passed, it would begin in 2027, with first collection in 2028.
Why it matters
The results will determine whether Northwestern keeps about $456,400 a year in operating revenue and whether the career center keeps funding for facilities and equipment. Voters face renewal decisions that, according to the districts, would not raise tax rates.
- School levy
- Property taxes
- Career and technical education
- Budget deficit
- Election results
Written with AI from the publisher's article and may contain errors. The original reporting is the authoritative source.
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- How should voters weigh the earlier primary rejection of Northwestern's renewal when deciding on the November ballot question?
- What information would help residents understand how levy money is spent on operations versus facilities and equipment?
- How can districts explain the difference between a renewal and a new tax to voters?
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