The Garfield Heights City Schools has placed Issue 20, a Renewal Levy, on the May 2025 ballot.
Important facts are listed below and are important for our taxpaying citizens to comprehend. Please read below, to learn important information about Issue 20.
-The levy will not increase taxes.
-This ballot issue represents a renewal of two levies that have been continuously approved by the voters since 1986 and 1992, respectively, including a $2.5 million emergency tax issue that was originally passed by the voters in 1986 and a $2.85 million emergency issue that was originally passed by the voters in 1992, and subsequently have been approved for renewal every five years since 1992.
-If approved, the renewal would be for a term of 10 years. The extended renewal period has been proposed to address the long-term financial security of the district.
-If approved, funds generated would be used for the same items as the previously approved measures. More specifically, the funds would primarily be used for core educational programming, textbooks, building safety and security, technology, science equipment, and operations.
-If the levy fails, the district would face a $5.35 million shortfall, which would require the district to consider available cost-cutting measures to account for the shortfall, including staffing and programming cuts.
-Most importantly, Garfield Heights City Schools levies are subject to the Rollback and Homestead Credit programs
through the State. Taxpayers only pay 87.5% of the total levy collection cost. If the levy expires, a new levy will be taxed at the full 100% collection rate. Meaning an increased cost JUST TO COLLECT the same amount they currently pay. In other words, 12.5% of your current cost subsidized by the state will be lost permanently if this issue is not renewed.
Staffing cuts, core program cuts, and extracurricular opportunities will be subject for discussion as well, if not approved by the voters. Please feel free to contact Treasurer Phil Oko with any questions about Issue 20. Thank you for taking the time to become informed.
* The information being provided is merely factual, district personnel are not allowed to advocate for or against the passage of the levy or bond issue during times they are being compensated by the district.