The improvement levy is not a new tax, according to district officials, and would be used to ensure “safe, functional and well-equipped schools” for Perrysburg.
TOLEDO, Ohio — Perrysburg school board members gathered Monday to talk with the public about a 1.9-mill permanent improvement levy that will appear on May’s ballot.
“The board was providing an opportunity for the community to come in and take a look at our schools and hear about the permanent improvement levy,” said Eric Benington, the vice president of the school board.
However, no one from the community showed up.
“Talking to an empty room right now doesn’t feel great,” Benington said.
The district said this is the second forum it’s held that no one has attended.
“I think people look at what they’re experiencing with the economy, with the budget, with all of those things and making decisions about whether or not to even keep taxes at the level that they are,” said district Superintendent Tom Hosler.
After November’s operational levy failed, Hosler said it’s important that this levy pass.
“Failure to get that support will mean $1.7 million is going to come from somewhere and that is scary because we’re already cutting $6 million for next school year,” he said.
He said the average age of the district’s school buildings is 45 years old, making it imperative they stay up to date.
“This levy was first passed in 1980. Every five years it is set to expire and we’re very fortunate the voters have chosen to replace it or to renew it,” Hosler said.
If the levy fails, Hosler said the district will have to pull money from the general fund, which would in turn mean more cuts.
If the levy passes, homeowners will be paying $3.41 every month per $100,000, or $40.92 every year for the next five years.
“Think about a roof, doors, windows, drains, tiles, flooring, all of those kinds of things,” Hosler said.
There will also be an operational levy on the ballot in November.
“The board is working on what that amount will be because this past November, we lost $13.5 million. 17% of our budget disappeared,” Hosler said. “We took $7.5 million out of our general fund that we can only do one time, it’s like your checking account, we can only make that withdrawal one time.”
This article was published by Silver Barker on 2025-04-14 19:41:00
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