AKRON, Ohio — Voters have passed Akron Public Schools’ proposed operating levy and bond issue.
The levy, which passed during the Nov. 5 general election, will cost taxpayers nearly $311 per $100,000 of taxable property value each year.
57.71% of voters voted in favor of the levy while 42.29% voted against the levy.
With the levy passing, the money will go toward constructing, furnishing and equipping a new high school to replace the existing North High School.
The money will also go toward constructing, furnishing, and equipping new facilities and help with current operating expenses.
The levy was the first one Akron Public Schools placed on the ballot in 12 years.
"We are incredibly grateful for the support of Akron’s residents, employees, our unions, community advocates, the Citizens Committee for Akron Public Schools and our Board of Education," said APS Superintendent Michael Robinson. "While continuing to assess our fiscal status and plan for fiscal stability, this victory means we continue with our mission to prepare students for college, careers and life by providing innovative educational experiences through our Blueprint for Excellence."
School officials said that it was needed as operating expenses have increased due to inflation, the school is getting less revenue from the state of Ohio, and a new North High School is necessary due to the aging and costly repairs of the facility built in 1931. Robinson said he expects the new building to be ready for students by the 2026-27 or 2027-28 school years.
In an interview with 3News' Danielle Wiggins, Robinson said the district will work to be "even better stewards" of the taxpayers' money.
"It is their money, it is the community's money and I'm grateful to them for allowing us to have access to their resources," Robinson said. "This money belongs to the community and this is really going to significantly help us tremendously with the financial situation that we're currently in."
For Robinson, the levy's passing was a moment of vindication for the city's board of education and district officials.
"When people said, 'No, you shouldn't do this levy this year,' our board was steadfast and they were very much unmovable in saying, 'We're moving forward with this because we know what we need to do.'"
Robinson said despite the passage of the levy, the district will work to reorganize and restructure itself, which will still lead to cuts.
"[The cuts] may not be as significant, but we will still have to make them so that we can finally get our district to the right size where it should be to match the number of students that we have," Robinson said.
More information on the levy can be found HERE.