3 new Cuyahoga County school levies pass; Euclid measure falls 61 votes short

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Voters in three Cuyahoga County school districts approved additional operating levies in Tuesday night’s general election, while a fourth measure in Euclid failed by just 61 votes, according to unofficial results from the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.Levies passed in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights, Orange and Strongsville school districts. Euclid voters narrowly rejected their district’s request, with 50.2% voting against it.These four additional operating levies are in addition to two suburban Cuyahoga County school levies that were up for renewal. Unoffical results from the Board of Elections show Independence City Schools passed their renewal, with votes in favor coming in at 60.63%.In Garfield Heights, the levy renewal measure failed, with 53.8% of voters rejecting the proposal.The results mean millions of dollars in new operating revenue for the three districts where levies passed, while Euclid school officials have warned that additional spending reductions could be necessary without the new funding.Cleveland Heights-University HeightsVoters in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District approved Issue 4, an additional levy for current expenses.The measure passed with 52.07% of votes in favor and 47.93% against it. All 41 precincts had fully reported results as of Wednesday morning.The continuing levy is expected to generate about $11.1 million annually for the district and cost a homeowner about $228 per year for a home valued at $100,000. Collection will begin in 2027.District officials have said the money will support general fund expenses including classroom instruction, employees, special education, transportation, technology, instructional materials, utilities and maintenance.The district sought the new money as its five-year financial forecast projects its available general fund balance declining from $32.2 million in fiscal year 2027 to a negative $3.7 million by fiscal year 2030.It marked the first time since November 2020 that the district’s school board asked voters to approve a new operating levy. Voters approved a 4.8-mill operating levy that year.Superintendent Liz Kirby, chief financial officer and treasurer Angele Latham and school board president Gabe Crenshaw thanked residents Wednesday for supporting Issue 4 and those who spent the months leading up to the election discussing the district’s financial needs.“Please know the fiscal responsibility that our district is known for will continue to be a top priority, while maintaining our commitment to providing a high-quality, equitable education for all students,” the three officials said in a statement.District leaders also said they will continue advocating for the state to fully implement the Fair School Funding Plan.EuclidThe closest of the four school tax votes came in Euclid, where Issue 5 failed by 61 votes, unofficial results show.The additional levy was rejected by a margin of 0.4% – 50.2% (7,841) to 49.8% (7,780). All 32 precincts were reporting results Wednesday.The levy would have generated about $6.87 million annually for the district’s day-to-day operations. It would have been a continuing levy, with collections starting in 2027.District officials had said the money would support classroom instruction, transportation, utilities, building maintenance and educational programs. Funding also would have supported programs including career-technical education, College Credit Plus courses, instrumental music, show choir and athletics.School officials said the request, the district’s first levy placed before voters in six years, came as expenses increasingly outpace revenue. The district’s five-year forecast projects expenditures exceeding revenues by about 10% next year without additional funding.Officials have pointed to rising salary, health insurance, transportation, utility and building-maintenance costs, as well as changes in state education funding.In 2022, when the district had a stronger financial outlook, the school board declined to seek renewal of a levy generating about $5.2 million annually. District officials said they anticipated additional money as Ohio phased in the Fair School Funding Plan but contend the most recent state budget did not provide as much as expected.District officials had warned that failure of Issue 5 could require additional spending reductions. Extracurricular activities, elective courses, transportation beyond state minimum requirements, class sizes and specialized programs could be affected.Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer reached out to the school district for comment.OrangeOrange City School District voters approved Issue 8, a 5-mill additional operating levy.The measure passed with 56.51% of the votes, opposed to 43.49% of voters opposing it, with all precincts reporting Wednesday.The continuing levy is expected to generate about $7.76 million annually, with collections beginning in 2027. It will cost property owners an estimated $175 per year for a home valued at $100,000.The money will support general operating expenses including instructional services and supplies, educational technology, special education programs, teacher and staff salaries and benefits, gifted services, extracurricular activities, transportation, utilities and building maintenance.Issue 8 marked Orange schools’ first new operating levy since voters approved one in November 2011.More recently, voters renewed a 0.95-mill levy for Orange Community Education and Recreation in May 2025. In November 2023, voters approved a new 1.5-mill permanent improvement levy for long-term capital needs.Superintendent Dr. Lynn Campbell thanked residents who participated in Tuesday’s election and said the outcome demonstrated continued community support for the district.“The majority of voters have voiced their support for the Orange Schools and have committed to the ongoing investment in the students, families, and community,” Campbell said in a statement.StrongsvilleStrongsville voters gave Issue 9 the largest margin of victory by percentage among the four school levies.The 6.7-mill operating levy passed with 58.31% of voters in favor of the measure and 41.69% rejecting it. All 33 precincts were fully reported.The levy will first be collected in 2027. It will cost a property owner about $235 annually for a home valued at $100,000.Of the 6.7 mills, 3.4 mills renew an operating levy first approved in 2002 that generates about $8.3 million annually. The remaining 3.3 mills will provide about $7.5 million in new revenue.The new revenue partially replaces money from a levy that Strongsville voters rejected in 2024 and that would have generated about $9.7 million annually. District officials have said the latest proposal will collect about $2.2 million less in new revenue than that measure.Issue 9 is part of the district’s “Plan to Protect Our Core,” which combines spending reductions, transfers from capital improvement funds and tax revenue.Under that plan, $1.8 million in reductions for the 2026-27 school year and an additional $3 million in reductions during 2027-28 will remain in place despite the levy passing.But district officials have said Issue 9’s passage will allow Strongsville to avoid approximately $15.2 million in additional reductions projected for 2027-28. Those cuts could have affected reading and English-language learner support, special education and gifted services, music and arts programs, athletics, electives and Advanced Placement courses.Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer reached out to the school district for comment.