Mayor Ed Kelley Says He Will Support CHUH Levy

Mayor Ed Kelley announced that he would support the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District's this November.

And he encourages Cleveland Heights and University Heights residents to vote "yes" on the operating levy, too. 

“These are tough times, but it is essential that we must continue to support our schools," Kelley said in a press release. "Our young people are the future, and we must give our dedicated teachers and students what they need to succeed.”

If residents approve the measure, they will see a tax increase of $211 a year per every $100,000 in property valuation, according to Scott Gainer, chief financial officer for the CHUH Schools.

If the levy doesn't pass, Gainer said the schools will have to cut about $7 million from the budget. 

The last levy the district put before voters in 2007 passed, and it was 7.2 mills. School Board President Eric Coble and others have said this is the lowest levy in about 30 years. 

Kelley participates in CHUH reading week and attends athletic events, and he has seen how hard students and teachers work.

“Over the last few years, I have had many opportunities to be in our schools," Kelley said. "I have seen firsthand the quality of education and, most importantly, our young people at their best.”