Copyright cleveland.com
SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio — Shaker Heights schools’ first attempt at passing a levy in more than a decade showed promise among early results in Tuesday’s general election. Among 1,647 ballots cast early, 63.5% voted in favor of Issue 51, with 35.5% against, according to unofficial results from the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. The 9.9-mill, 10-year levy would cost homeowners about $29 per month per $100,000 of appraised property value — or roughly $101.50 per month for the average Shaker Heights home valued at $350,000. It would be the district’s first operating levy since 2014. Supporters of the levy say new money is needed to offset rising costs for personnel, materials and services, which have outpaced revenue due to continuing inflation and state laws that prevent schools from taking in significantly more money as property taxes rise. The district has already begun implementing cost-saving measures, identifying $2.5 million in cuts this year, with plans to reduce spending by $1 million annually for the next five years. Most reductions are being made through natural attrition, including retirements and resignations. Without the levy, officials warn of significant cuts beginning in 2026, including staff reductions, larger class sizes, and potential program losses, as well as implementing pay-to-play fees for sports and extracurricular activities. The request comes after voters in 2023 approved a package of school funding measures totaling 9.95 mills, aimed at modernizing the district’s facilities and expanding early education. The ballot issue included a 6.45-mill bond to raise $121.2 million for construction, a 0.5-mill permanent improvement levy for building maintenance, and a 3-mill operating levy to support universal pre-K. The combined cost to homeowners was estimated at $350 annually per $100,000 of appraised property value. The district also secured a 37% state funding match through the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, amounting to $47.5 million toward the $187 million master plan. Those funds cannot be used for the day-to-day operations of the district.
