NORTHFIELD, Ohio — The fate of increased funding for the Nordonia Hills City School District is now in the hands of voters in Macedonia, Northfield Village, Northfield Center Township, Sagamore Hills, and parts of Boston Heights.
As residents in these Summit County communities decide on Issue 30, district leaders and advocates are emphasizing how crucial they say the measure is to addressing rising costs, supporting staff, and maintaining the quality of education in the district.
"I hear people say when they go into a grocery store or they go into a doctor's office, 'Our students are not educated. What's wrong with the youth of today?'" says Karen Byers, the leader of Nordonia Together, a political action committee in favor of Issue 30. "I say this is the opportunity for people to put their money into the youth of today."
What's on the ballot?
Issue 30 is a proposed tax increase combining a 4-millage operating levy and a 1-millage permanent improvement levy. If approved, the measure would generate approximately $7.35 million per year for the district. The cost to taxpayers is estimated at $175 for every $100,000 of their property's appraised value.
Byers, an area accountant and mother of two, believes the investment in local schools will have long-term benefits.
"In my theory, I like to explain to people, 'You can pay a small amount now or you can take a really big hit later,'" she said. "Improving your community does everything for your house value."
The need for funding
The district's website outlines Nordonia's financial pressures, citing increased costs, stagnant revenue, and aging school facilities. The additional funding would cover essential needs, including staff salaries and benefits, technology, building repairs, and expanded academic programs, among other expenses.
"It's really painful for us to ask people for more money," Nordonia Superintendent Casey Wright said, "but we know in order to continue to do great things, we're faced with the same thing everybody else is faced with: higher costs. We know the only way for us to kind of combat that is to go back and ask the voters for if they'd be willing to pay more money."
Background and recent cuts
The district last passed a levy in 2019. An operating levy failed this past March, with more than 65% of voters opposed. A bond issue for new schools was also rejected in November 2022, with 60% voting against it.
Wright says the district has cut $2.16 million from its budget during the last two fiscal years through various measures, including not filling open positions.
The stakes if Issue 30 fails
Without the additional funds from Issue 30, Wright says more cuts are inevitable.
"The only way to reduce spending is reduce personnel costs — cutting teachers, cutting programming, increasing class size and cutting opportunities for kids," he confirmed.