Schools

CHUH School Board Approves 6.9-Mill Levy

Voters will see the issue on the November ballot

Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School Board members approved a resolution to put a 6.9-mill operations levy on the November ballot at Tuesday's regular meeting. 

If residents approve the measure, they will see a tax increase of $211 a year per every $100,000 in property valuation, according to Chief Financial Officer Scott Gainer.

Board members about how much they should ask from voters, but in the end unanimously settled on a 6.9-mill levy.

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It was essential that they decide what amount they’d put on the November ballot during the July meeting, as the resolution requires two readings, and the board has to submit the issue to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections by Aug. 10.

The County Fiscal Officer has determined that the levy would bring in about $7.9 million annually during the life of the three-year levy, according to the resolution. 

Find out what's happening in Cleveland Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Lay Finance Committee recommended at the July meeting that the district put a 7.2-mill levy — the same passed in 2007 — before voters to maintain current programming. But some board members wanted to know how low they could go without cutting people or academic programs. 

Gainer provided a few more options. If the district passed a 6.9-mill levy, CHUH Schools would have to cut $250,000 from the budget. A 6.5-mill levy would require a $600,000 cut.

For homeowners, a 7.2-mill levy would have meant a tax increase of $220 per year for every $100,000 in property valuation instead of the $211 proposed now. 

A levy committee will now work to raise money and educate residents about the levy by sending letters, stopping by homes and other efforts, said Angee Shaker, communications director for the district. 

The committee will include Eric Silverman, Dallas Schubert, Reggie Evans, Jim Posch and Dave Tabor. All also served on the . 


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