MOUNT VERNON — Four school districts had issues on Tuesday’s primary ballot. Two districts, Centerburg and East Knox, were successful in their efforts, one, Highland is still up in the air, and Johnstown-Monroe had mixed results.
The Centerburg Board of Education asked voters to renew a 1.5-mill permanent improvement levy, which would be collected at a 0.66-mill rate. The board and administration are happy with the results: 934 individuals voted for the renewal and 775 voted against it.
“We are so appreciative of the citizens of the Centerburg community, who once again supported the renewal of our permanent improvement levy,” said Leroy Bumpus, school board president. “We wish to assure everyone we will continue to use these funds efficiently to maintain and improve our educational facilities, to serve our youth the best we can.”
East Knox School District residents were deciding whether to approve a 1.5-mill replacement permanent improvement levy with a 1.5-mill increase for a total of 3 mills. According to unofficial election results, they did approve that levy, approximately 60 percent to 40 percent, and their school property taxes will be reduced as promised. Knox County Auditor Margaret Ann Ruhl, upon the request of the East Knox Board of Education, will now stop collecting the current 3.5 mill emergency operating levy.
“The passage of the levy will result in over half a million dollars in additional revenue while reducing the tax liability on our taxpayers over half a mil,” Superintendent John Marschhausen said. “This is a unique opportunity and we are thankful our voters took the time to investigate and research the implications of the levy. School finance in Ohio is very complicated, and I think it is wonderful that we were able to communicate effectively about a very coimplicated funding issue.
“The administration and board of education are committed to utilizing every available revenue source to keep the taxes as low as possible,” he continued. “This tax will allow the district to shift some of the burden from local taxpayers to the state foundation formula.
“We thank our voters for their trust and support. We will continue to strive to provide the best possible education in the most fiscally responsible manner,” he added.
The Highland school board had a 4.4 mill bond levy on the ballot to renovate existing facilities and build new ones. It was a close, suspenseful contest as election results trickled in from the various precincts. At one point, with 10 of 11 precincts reporting, there were 1,206 “for” votes and 1,215 “against” votes, a mere nine-vote difference. Later, the advantage went to the “for” votes, with 1,315 voters in favor of the bond issue, and 1,301 against the bond issue. The final unofficial result in Morrow County was 1,399 for the levy and 1,403 against. Of 108 Highland school district residents in Delaware County, 52 approved the bond issue; 56 did not.The narrow margins made the outcome too close to call, as provisional ballots have not yet been counted. There will also be an automatic recount of the ballots cast on Tuesday. Superintendent Tim Hilborn was reluctant to predict the outcome, saying, “We’re still hopeful.”
Johnstown-Monroe’s Board of Education placed two issues before the voters: A 5 mill property tax levy to be used for ongoing, permanent repairs and improvements, and an additional three-quarter percent school income tax to be used for current operating expenses. The permanent improvemnt levy apparantly passed by 4 votes; 1748 people voted for the levy and 1746 voted against the levy. The school income tax levy appears to have failed, 1698 for vs 1802 against.
Superintendent Damien Bawn had this statement: “With many throughout our community, the dedicated members of Johnstown Just Imagine worked long and hard to inform the voters’ discretion and rally support for our children and our schools. Today’s decision at the polls neither impedes nor diminishes this effort. Rather, this milestone provides one more step on the road to an effective investment in our schools on behalf of our young citizens.
“This is a very important turning point for our schools. It is a time for our community to take stock, examine its purpose, and decide what the future of our schools will be; and therein, what the future of our community will be. On behalf of the district and Johnstown Just Imagine, thank you to all our supporters. We also extend this warm welcome to all — please join us in creating a better world — together we can make a difference.”
