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LYNDHURST, Ohio -- Now that the South Euclid-Lyndhurst Schools levy has met with voters’ approval, residents should be ready to give their input on the district’s Master Facilities Plan’s second phase. That was the word from a happy Superintendent Dominick Kaple, who said that the plan would be among the first things upon which the district will focus. “The planning for Phase Two of the Master Facility Plan will begin in the coming months and will include the opportunities for community members to participate in the design and feedback process,” Kaple said of what residents should first expect to see. “At the same time, we will maintain our ongoing focus on supporting teaching and learning, student programming, and a stable educational environment across all of our buildings.” The action will take place following voters’ passage Tuesday (Nov. 4) of Issue 52, a 7.9-mill levy that will generate funds to support the district’s general operating and current expenses. It will also provide funding to support permanent improvements that will include repairs, renovations, and maintenance of buildings (Brush High School will turn 100 years old in 2027), grounds, and equipment across the district. According to unofficial Cuyahoga County Board of Elections figures, 4,339 voters favored passage (58.2 percent), and 3,378 were against the levy (43.8 percent). The levy is projected to cost property owners within the district about $23 per month per $100,000 of appraised value. Kaple wants voters to know that passage was greatly valued. “We want to express our sincere appreciation to the residents of South Euclid and Lyndhurst. Supporting a levy is a significant decision, and we do not take that trust lightly. “We will continue to communicate openly, operate responsibly, and keep our community engaged every step of the way. “We were hopeful that the community would support this levy,” Kaple said of his outlook heading into the election. “We know that asking a community to support a levy is never something to take for granted. “Our focus throughout the campaign was on clearly communicating our needs, listening to residents, and being transparent about both the district’s current state and our plans for the future. The results show that our community believes in our schools and the direction we are heading. We are sincerely grateful for that support.” Kaple added, “We also encourage our community to stay connected — attend events, volunteer, provide input, and continue to be involved in the day-to-day life of our schools. Our schools are strongest when our community is actively engaged, and we are excited to move forward together." When asked what passage means to the district in terms of paying for needed items and work, and for morale, Kaple replied, “The passage of Issue 52 ensures that we can continue providing high-quality educational experiences for our students while maintaining responsible stewardship of our resources. “It allows us to move forward with the next phase of our Master Facility Plan, including renovations to the Performing Arts Center at Brush High School and the creation of a dedicated preschool space at Southlyn. “From a morale standpoint, this outcome affirms the work happening in our buildings every day,” he said. “It tells our staff, students and families that the community sees their efforts and values their impact. That sense of shared belief strengthens the partnership between our schools and our residents.” Overall turnout for the election was 25.7 percent. School Board election South Euclid and Lyndhurst voters chose to keep its two current School Board members, Ashley King and Christian Sanders, and bring onboard newcomer Becky Richardson. Unofficially, tallied 3,406 votes to lead all candidates with 24.8 percent of the vote. Sanders registered 2,883 votes (21 percent), and King, 2,877 (20.9 percent). Sanders was appointed to the Board in August following the resignation of former Board president Cassandra Jones. Those not elected were challengers Melissa Tripi (2,496 votes, 18.2 percent), and Shirley Smith (2,089 votes, 15.2 percent).
