by Abbey Knupp

On Tuesday, November 5, Ohio citizens braved the cold weather to cast their vote in the election. A striking number of citizens showed support for their local school system and approved their school’s levy, which means that their taxes will help fund their local school system. Voters passed 97% of the renewal levies and 36% of the newly proposed levies, passing around two-thirds of all of the levies proposed. According to the Ohio School Board Association, this is the highest passing rate since 2009.

So, one might ask, how important is it that a school’s levy passes? While there are many sides and circumstances to create different answers, information can help teetering voters make a decision.

According to the Columbus Dispatch, over one half of the education funding in Ohio comes from tax revenues generated by levies. When a school places a levy on the ballot, it falls into two main categories: new or renewed. New levies propose new taxes, while renewal levies ask that old taxes be maintained. It is generally harder for new levies to pass, since people don’t necessarily like having their taxes raised, though new levies typically stem from more pressing circumstances. The Centerville school system proposed one of the few new levies to get passed, which will allow the district to continue operating at the same bar of success, saving employees and programs from facing cuts.

When levies do not pass, schools are forced to cut teachers, eliminate certain services or courses, and increase fees to fill the monetary gap. However, this election allowed most schools to receive the money they asked for, which will enable them to maintain their services.

When election time rolls around, schools can apply for levies of many classifications, including levies for general maintenance, current expenses, permanent improvements, and emergency operating expenses. Each type of levy hints at the severity of the monetary need and suggests how the money will be utilized. Knowing the type of levy a school district is proposing can be a useful tool when a voter is teetering between choosing to approve or disapprove a levy.