Kirtland Schools, Lakeline seek tax renewals

Both have issues in primary election next month

Kirtland School District and Lakeline voters will see renewal levies on the May 2 ballot.

Renewals do not increase taxes.

Kirtland Schools

Issue 1 in Kirtland is a 7.07-mill, five-year operating levy. It will continue to generate $2.28 million annually — about 16 percent of the district’s total budget.

The renewal costs property owners $216.52 annually per $100,000 in home value.

“Issue 1 will allow the district to maintain its current level of academic excellence for its 1,170 students without raising taxes,” Superintendent Bill Wade said.

Operating levy dollars are used for the following expenses:

• Direct classroom instruction

• Student services (nurses, counselors, media specialists)

• Extracurricular programs • Safety and security • K-12 transportation • Daily operating expenses

Since this levy first was approved in 2012, the School Board has held annual expense growth to an average 1.55 percent, compared with the statewide average of 3 percent to 4 percent, Wade said.

This was accomplished through a reduction of 11 positions, using shared services to meet district needs (treasurer, bus mechanic, food service), grants, and using the following criteria, he said:

• All fiscal decisions are made in the context of the five-year fiscal projections

• Management options are attached to every dollar spent

• Every dollar spent must add value to teaching and learning

• Focusing on aggressive management of the largest expense areas

• Aggressively avoiding deficit spending

The levy is endorsed by Kirtland City Council.

“I think it’s fair to say that both the administration and council believe the schools are a focal point in the community which provides great value for our residents,” Mayor Doug Davidson said. “I appreciate the efforts of Superintendent Bill Wade and the School Board to run a great district and work with the city where appropriate.”

There are more than 5,800 registered voters in the district, including 27 in Geauga County.

Lakeline

There are about 165 registered voters in Lakeline — a community of 226 people, according to the 2010 U.S. Census.

The 2 mill, five-year current expenses levy first was passed in 2012, to offset a loss of Local Government Fund money.

“The money can only be used to pay for police, fire and emergency medical services,” Mayor Debbie Neale said.

“Lakeline collaborates with its neighboring communities and … purchases its safety services from Eastlake, which provides an excellent job and response time.”

They levy supports 70 percent of the village’s budget. It costs homeowners $61.25 per $100,000 property valuation and yields $12,179 annually, according to the Lake County Auditor’s Office.