Schools ask voters to approve renewal levy

The $1.5 mill levy will cost homeowners an additional $52 annually based on a $100,000 valuation.

The Sheffield-Sheffield Lake Board of Education is asking voters to approve a renewal levy Nov. 7.

The $1.5 mill levy will cost homeowners an additional $52 annually based on a $100,000 valuation.

According to the school district, the levy is expected to create an additional $462,080 in annual revenue.

Superintendent Michael Cook said the levy will allow the district to weather the storm after working through budget issues dating back to 2014.

Cook said after holding a town hall meeting on the issue, the Board explained to residents the levy will be a non emergency measure to allow revenue to grow as the district expands.

“We explained that our emergency levies limit our collections as new businesses and homes are built,” he said. “Which means the money we are spending now is literally the same amount of money we needed years ago to run the school without increasing.”

A new approach for the district, Cook is confident passage the levy will help carry Sheffield-Sheffield Lake Schools through to 2018 after asking voters for $16.5 mills in 2014, which was rejected before passing a $6.5 mill levy a year later.

“In the past, we have waited until we are so broke that we are ready to cut programs and need a large amount of millage,” he said. “If we are able to pass a small amount now, that will mean our deficit doesn’t compound.

“Instead, our carryover will compound and keep us solvent for over five years and probably more. People seem to understand, but we never know until the pen hits the ballot.”

On July 26, following the board’s decision to approve the levy language, Cook emphasized the need for a culture change in terms of forward-thinking in order to give the district the ability to be proactive as well as reactive.