CUYAHOGA COUNTY, Ohio — Editor's note: Video at the top of this story regarding primary election results was originally published on May 4, 2021.
As voters hit the polls in Ohio’s primary election Tuesday, many found a school levy on their ballot. So how did Ohio do overall when it came to schools?
Voters across the state approved 50 of the 73 school tax issues (68 percent), according to the Ohio School Boards Association. That’s a small increase from the 2020 primary election when voters approved 64 percent of school tax issues with 63 of 99 passing.
“Tuesday’s results show that communities realize the significance of their public schools,” Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) Director of Legislative Services Jennifer Hogue said in a press release Wednesday. “However, most of the issues approved by voters were renewals; the passage rate for new funding was much lower. Those districts that were unsuccessful will face challenges in meeting the educational needs of their students.”
Here’s a closer look at how the numbers break down:
NEW MONEY FOR SCHOOLS: 20 out of 40 issues passed statewide in which schools were asking for new money. That’s an increase from last year’s primary election when voters approved 20 out of 53.
TAX RENEWALS FOR SCHOOLS: 30 out of 33 issues earned approval, which marks a 91 percent passage rate. In 2020’s primary election, 43 out of 46 renewals passed.
So what about your school? Here's a list of the levies that passed / failed in Northeast Ohio. We'll start with those that passed first. NOTE: Data below is considered "unofficial" until the election results are certified.
PASSED LEVIES
Brunswick City School District - 5.9 mil additional levy
- FOR: 6,274
- AGAINST: 3,086
Buckeye Local School District - 1.9 mil renewal levy
- FOR: 359
- AGAINST: 172
Canton Local School District (Canton South) - 10.8 mil renewal levy
- FOR: 521
- AGAINST: 362
Highland Local School District - 4.7 mil substitute levy
- FOR: 1,355
- AGAINST: 849
Jackson Local School District - 5.7 mil substitute levy
- FOR: 2,127
- AGAINST: 927
Kirtland Local School District - 1.1 mil renewal and 0.95 mil additional levies
- FOR: 1,232
- AGAINST: 757
Louisville City School District - 5.9 mil additional levy
- FOR: 2,177
- AGAINST: 2,051
Margaretta Local School District - 7.75 mil renewal levy
- FOR: 493
- AGAINST 107
Newcomerstown Exempted Village School District - 9.2 mil renewal levy
- FOR: 176
- AGAINST: 45
Rootstown Local School District - 4.59 mil renewal levy
- FOR: 773
- AGAINST: 579
Twinsburg City School District - 5.12 mil renewal levy
- FOR: 2,086
- AGAINST: 1,290
Windham Exempted Village School District - 1.5 mil additional levy
- FOR: 183
- AGAINST: 148
FAILED LEVIES
Ashtabula Area City Schools - 3.8 mil additional levy
- FOR: 1,032
- AGAINST: 1,220
Clearview Local School District - 2.86 mil renewal levy
- FOR: 99
- AGAINST: 123
Crestwood Local School District - 1.25% income tax increase
- FOR: 1,388
- AGAINST: 1,932
Huron City School District - 5.6 mil additional levy
- FOR: 512
- AGAINST: 1,408
Kenston Local School District - 6.5 mil additional levy
- FOR: 1,312
- AGAINST: 3,261
North Olmsted City School District - 8.5 mil additional levy
- FOR: 1,405
- AGAINST: 3,594
Madison Local School District - 6.99 mil additional levy
- FOR: 889
- AGAINST: 2,704
Monroeville Local School District - 2.9 mil renewal levy
- FOR: 130
- AGAINST: 155
Parma City School District - 0.4 mil additional levy
- FOR: 5,818
- AGAINST: 9,761
Rocky River City School District 4.9 mil additional levy
- FOR: 2,089
- AGAINST: 2,405
Springfield Local School District - 0.75% income tax increase (from Summit County Board of Elections)
- FOR: 915
- AGAINST: 1,791
Waterloo Local School District - 1.5% income tax increase
- FOR: 850
- AGAINST: 1,093
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