Copyright cleveland.com
LORAIN, Ohio — The Lorain City Schools district will avoid substantial financial cuts after voters approved two critical renewal levies on Tuesday, providing much-needed financial support for the district that’s working to improve academic performance. Issue 21 passed with 56.98% of the vote, with 3,201 votes in favor and 2,417 votes against. Issue 22 also passed with 56.89% of the vote, with 3,186 votes in favor and 2,414 votes against, according to unofficial results from the Lorain County Board of Elections. The approved renewal levies will generate roughly $14 million in annual funding for the district. Issue 21 is expected to contribute about $11 million for current expenses, while Issue 22 will provide around $3.1 million for emergency requirements over 10 years. Both issues sought to renew existing levies rather than impose new taxation. School officials had stressed that the renewals would preserve current budget levels without raising rates, supporting wraparound student services, teaching staff, campus safety and security measures and specialized programs such as fine arts, career technical education, robotics and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) instruction. Renewing the levies allows the district to sustain existing educational operations. District leaders warned that, without the funding, they would be forced to make deep budget cuts, including widespread staff layoff across departments, larger class sizes and cuts to support services and transportation. The district has previously reduced spending by $10 million through measures including eliminating seven central office positions and reducing spending on health benefits, contracted services, supplies and capital projects. The levy approvals come as the district works to build on recent academic improvements despite placing last among Ohio’s 607 school systems on the Department of Education and Workforce school report cards released in September. A recent strategic plan has elevated graduation rates to levels not seen since 2009 and supported student success in early college programs, career technical training, ROTC and STEAM initiatives. Serving a community of over 65,000 residents, the district employs more than 1,000 staff members, including 534 certified educators. Student population projections anticipate nearly 6,300 enrollees for the 2025-2026 academic year—representing an approximate increase of 900 students.
