Copyright cleveland.com
LORAIN, Ohio— Lorain City Schools is asking voters to approve two renewal levies on the Nov. 4 ballot, measures the district says are vital for maintaining current educational programs and services. Issues 21 and 22 are not new taxes; they are renewals that continue, without increasing, funding levels previously approved by voters, according to a frequently asked questions page posted on the district website. The levies fund a range of essential services, including wraparound student support, qualified 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. The district warns that failure to renew the levies would result in a significant loss of revenue, forcing deep budget cuts. Potential reductions could include widespread staff layoffs across departments, larger class sizes and cuts to support services and transportation. Lorain City Schools has already trimmed $10 million from its budget by eliminating seven central office positions and reducing spending on health benefits, contracted services, supplies and capital projects, according to the district’s website. Despite a recent strategic improvement plan that has boosted graduation rates to their highest level since 2009 and supported student success in early college programs, career technical training, ROTC and STEAM initiatives, Lorain City Schools was ranked last among Ohio’s 607 districts on the Department of Education and Workforce school report cards list released in September. Serving a community of over 65,000 residents, the district employs more than 1,000 staff members, including 534 certified educators. Enrollment is projected to reach nearly 6,300 students in the 2025–2026 school year—an increase of roughly 900 students.
