Election Day ended in disappointment for several suburban school districts in Summit County that were seeking new tax dollars to build new schools or improve their finances.
Bond issues to replace aging buildings in the Stow-Munroe Falls and Twinsburg school districts both went down to defeat, according to unofficial election results released early Wednesday morning.
In the Mogadore school district, which is under fiscal caution, voters turned down a levy seeking additional tax support. Voters in the Nordonia Hills City School District also defeated a levy request by a wide margin.
In the Springfield school district, which is currently under fiscal watch, voters approved one renewal levy but defeated two others.
Meanwhile, renewal levies in Cuyahoga Falls and Coventry won by wide margins.
Here's more about how suburban school levies fared across Summit County:
Stow-Munroe Falls voters defeat 8.89-mill bond issue to replace aging schools
Voters in the Stow-Munroe Falls City School District soundly defeated Issue 31, an 8.89-mill bond issue which, if passed, would have raised $238 million over 35 years to construct four new elementary schools and a middle school.
Nearly 60% of Summit County voters in the district voted down the levy, which failed 13,037 to 8,783.
Stow-Munroe Falls Superintendent Felisha Gould said the district's bond issue "signals an opportunity for us to revisit our Facilities Master Plan and make the necessary adjustments to gain your confidence and approval."
"I want to extend my gratitude to each of you for your engagement and support throughout the process surrounding our Facilities Master Plan," Gould said. "While the recent vote did not result in the outcome we hoped for, we are deeply appreciative of your input, time, and commitment to our students and schools."
Gould said the district will take the community's feedback and adjust its facilities plan "that genuinely reflects the values and vision of our community."
The levy also would have provided funds to demolish all but one of its elementary schools, as well as its existing intermediate school and middle school. It would have cost property owners $311 annually for each $100,000 of the county's appraised value.
Twinsburg voters defeat plan to build new schools
Issue 33, a 4.7-mill bond issue for the Twinsburg City School District, was defeated by a vote of 7,562 to 7,105.
Twinsburg Superintendent Kathryn Powers said she was disappointed by the bond issue's failure.
"Without the funding to move forward with new construction, our district now faces continued challenges associated with aging facilities and rising maintenance costs," Powers said. "Our immediate focus will remain on essential repairs to maintain safe and functional environments, especially in our elementary school buildings and athletic facilities."
Powers said that while the outcome of the bond will pose challenges for the district, the district's commitment to serving its students is the priority.
"The Twinsburg Board of Education will consider the next steps for the Tiger Legacy Project and we will continue to keep our community members informed," Powers said.
The bond issue would have raised $107 million over 36 years to build a new pre-kindergarten through sixth-grade building, replacing Wilcox Primary, Bissell Elementary, Dodge Intermediate and R.B. Chamberlin Middle schools. Wilcox, Bissell and Dodge would have been demolished, and the middle school would have been vacated.
Funds from the bond issue also would have paid for the construction of a new stadium behind the high school and the new elementary at the current stadium site. The athletic fields would have moved to the Dodge site.
Mogadore schools, currently in fiscal caution, see voters defeat levy
Voters in the Mogadore Local School District defeated a 5.9-mill levy by a vote of 1,241 to 1,017.
The district had hoped voters would give the levy the green light in its third attempt. Issue 35, if passed, would have collected $743,000 a year for five years.
It would have cost property owners $207 annually for each $100,000 of the county's appraised value.
The Mogadore school district, which is located in both Summit and Portage counties, is currently under a fiscal caution, according to information from the Ohio Department of Education. The district was placed in this status in June 2023. An attempt to pass a 5.9-mill levy in this past primary election failed, as did an effort at a 5.9-mill levy in the November 2023 election and an attempt in May 2023.
Voters in Nordonia Hills defeat 5-mill school levy for second time
Voters in the Nordonia Hills City School District defeated a 5-mill continuing levy 10,904 to 8,423.
It was the district's second attempt to pass the levy.
The district was hoping to add nearly $7.4 million a year to its general fund.
If passed, Issue 30 would have cost property owners $175 annually for each $100,000 of the county fiscal officer’s appraised value.
Voters in Springfield defeat 2 of 3 renewal levies
Springfield Local Schools, which is predominantly in Summit County but has a small part of its territory in Portage County, had three five-year renewal levies on the general election ballot:
The district's last attempt at passing an additional levy in November 2023 failed, as well as a levy attempt in May 2023. The Springfield Local School district is currently in fiscal watch, where it was first placed in 2021. Voters in the school district have rejected additional funding for the district since May 2006.
Tallmadge voters approve permanent improvement levy replacement
Voters in the Tallmadge City School District approved Issue 32, which replaces its permanent improvement levy and would restore the levy to its original 1.25 mills.
The issue passed 5,488 to 4,692, according to unofficial results.
Issue 32 will collect $807,000 per year and cost property owners $40 a year for each $100,000 of the county's appraised value.
Cuyahoga Falls, Coventry renewal levies pass
Issue 29, the renewal of a continuing 7.9-mill levy that generates about $5.8 million annually, was approved by voters in the Cuyahoga Falls City Schools, which includes Cuyahoga Falls and Silver Lake. It passed 12,403 to 7,910. It will continue to cost property owners $151 for each $100,000 of the county's appraised value.
The Coventry Local School District Issue 34 is a renewal that generates nearly $2 million a year for schools. It was narrowly approved by voters 3,276 to 3,039. Issue 34 is a 3.91-mill, 5-year levy, which will continue to cost property owners $120 for each $100,000 of the county's appraised value.
Reporter April Helms can be reached at [email protected]