Cardinal Schools has additional, continuing levy on May 2 ballot

Voters in the Cardinal School District who go to the polls May 2 will decide whether to approve a 5.5mill additional, continuing levy.

“Basically, getting this levy passed will allow us to continue to operate,” said Cardinal School District Superintendent Scott J. Hunt said in an April 24 phone interview. “Our budget is very tight, which is why we’re asking for more money now.”

Hunt said the last time the district passed a levy was in 1992. He said the district is one of the last in Ohio to have lost the benefit of its constituents’ tangible personal property tax dollars, which will cost it about $200,000 a year.

“Going into this year, we lost approximately $200,000 in TPP money and that has a major impact on what we’re doing,” he said. “We don’t create any new revenue and costs go up every year.”

If passed May 2, the Cardinal School District levy would generate about $1.7 million annually to help cover operating expenses, the Geauga County Auditor’s Office reports. It would cost property owners $192.50 per $100,000 in property valuation, the auditor’s office confirms.

“This one is critical for the district,” Hunt said. “It will help us not have to make further cuts heading into next year.”

He said that, as it stands, the district already has let go five teachers and a secretary, and isn’t going to replace some other teachers whose retirements are imminent.

He also said that, because it’s a May ballot, people aren’t necessarily thinking “election season,” and he hopes that doesn’t affect voter turnout.

“People sometimes don’t remember there’s an election in May,” he said.

“So I’d just remind people to keep an eye on their calendars and, if you’re registered, please get out and vote.”

There are 6,756 registered voters eligible to help decide this issue, according to the Geauga County Elections Board.