Woodridge Schools to Take Levy Off May Ballot

With the uncertainty of state funding cuts and higher gas prices expected in the summer, the Woodridge Local School Board followed its superintendent's recommendation to remove the levy that was to be placed on the May ballot.

“So many of the facts have changed since we voted to put this measure on the ballot in January,” said Cheryl Hoover, school board president.

The board approved the measure in a unanimous vote at Tuesday night's special meeting.

“It’s been very difficult. We put a lot of effort forth for the levy already,” said Walter Davis, Woodridge superintendent. “You don’t like to start something and not finish it, so I’d like to use the word delay.”

The board had voted back in late January to place a in an effort to avoid a $5 million deficit projected for the 2013-14 school year. The levy was expected to generate about $3.25 million over five years.

“We hear that the governor has plans to cut anywhere from 8 percent to 20 percent of state funding to public education as he wrestles with an unprecedented state deficit. Senate Bill 5, with its budget implications, has cleared the Senate and is headed for nearly definite approval of the House and governor,” Davis said. “Today, I listened to the governor’s State of the State Address and hear his message clearly. He told those listening that change is coming to Ohio.”

You can read Superintendent Davis’ entire message to the community in the attached .pdf files.

Board members echoed Davis’ concerns.

“We owe our taxpayers to have facts and we don’t have facts right now to no fault of our own,” said Jan Flasco, board member.

After listening to others in the district, Board Vice President Melissa Wilkinson believes it would have been difficult to pass a levy.

“Until we know, we can’t go asking,” said Wilkinson, “and I know our community is struggling with their households as well.”

As for the levy campaign, the effort to gather support is on hold for now and money raised will be saved for future use. With an average cost of $10,000 to $15,000 to run a campaign in the district, the school board’s newest addition added his thoughts on getting the word out in time if the levy appears on the November ballot.

“I think it’s pretty clear, when we figure out what we need this summer, we’re going to need to act quickly,” said George DeBoard, school board member and levy campaign chairman. “We have issues going into next school year financially, we know that.”

The money raised at levy support events like the recent go to fund these grassroots efforts.

The district will meet the deadline Wednesday to cancel the ballot issue at no additional cost. District Treasurer Deanna Levenger told the board she would handle the proper protocol in having the levy removed before the ballots are printed for the Summit County Board of Elections in the morning.

Davis is hoping for more information on state funding cuts and budget details by July.