CLEVELAND — Voters have passed the Cleveland Metropolitan School District's proposed $295 million combined bond issue and tax levy.
66.75% of voters voted in favor of the levy while 33.25% voted against the levy.
Issue 49 combined an 8.6 mill, 10-year operating levy increase, and a 2.65 mill, 35-year bond extension authorization that will not increase taxes.
In addition, the levy was based on old home values, not the reappraisal. The cost for a middle-value home is $3.73 per week, as businesses pay over half of the tax.
The tax levy will raise $52 million annually for CMSD schools. The money raised will go toward operating expenses, such as paying teachers, buying books, and more.
Here’s a breakdown of how the tax levy will impact students provided by the school district:
Operating levy:
Continue to upgrade students’ reading, writing, mathematics, and social skills
Prepare students for jobs, college, and careers in fast-growing, good-paying fields
Improve discipline, school culture, safety, and security in and around every school facility
Keep vital mental health, student, and family support services
Have the quality teaching staff and educational aides Cleveland’s students need
Bond issue:
Ensure Cleveland students are in safe, well-maintained, up-to-date schools
Provide educationally conducive classrooms, labs, technology, and arts spaces
Consolidate under-capacity schools to provide a critical mass of excellent services
Support a facility plan to shrink our footprint, strengthen schools, and save money
Create space under each roof to meet all the needs of each building’s student body
Since it passed, the school levy is set to reduce the district’s projected budget deficit.
CMSD CEO Dr. Warren Morgan released the following statement on Wednesday morning:
We are deeply appreciative of the community’s support during these challenging times. The passage of the levy, along with the extension of the bond issue, brings necessary relief, and we are especially grateful to everyone who volunteered their time—whether by canvassing, phone banking, or hosting events—to support CMSD. My sincere thanks also go to Mayor Bibb, Cleveland City Council, and the CMSD board for their unwavering dedication to our scholars and their role in making this outcome possible.”
The approval of this levy provides much-needed relief, allowing us to support our students more deeply and strengthen the foundations of their learning. This outcome reinforces our responsibility to manage these funds with care and precision. Our team has been preparing diligently for all outcomes, and we look forward to sharing updates on our steps to ensure financial sustainability for the district. With a commitment to transparency and based on feedback from our community, we remain dedicated to keeping families and stakeholders informed every step of the way as we deliver equitable, high-quality education for all scholars.”
In addition, CMSD Board Chair Sara Elaqad released the following statement:
"We thank our community for placing its confidence in us. With this levy’s passage, we can now move forward thoughtfully, focused on maintaining fiscal stability while making targeted investments that enhance our students’ learning experiences. Our responsibility as board members is clear: we will apply careful, disciplined oversight to every decision, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to protect what matters most for our students. This moment reaffirms our commitment to the future of CMSD, and we look forward to working with our community as stewards of this shared investment.”
CMSD leadership also reiterates the importance of continued community support as the district navigates the next phase of its financial strategy. The district remains committed to transparent communication with families, staff, and stakeholders as it works to balance the need for adjustments with its mission of providing equitable, high-quality education for all scholars.