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Tallmadge board seeks voter approval for new 5.7‑mill levy, approves 7.5‑mill renewal
Summary
At its July 16 meeting the Tallmadge City Board of Education approved a resolution to renew an existing 7.5‑mill emergency levy for 10 years and moved forward a separate resolution seeking voter approval of a new 5.7‑mill operating levy; district leaders said reductions in state school funding prompted the request.
The Tallmadge City Board of Education on July 16 approved a resolution declaring it necessary to renew an existing 7.5‑mill emergency tax levy and moved forward a second resolution to seek voter approval of an additional 5.7‑mill levy for current expenses.
Board members and district staff said the levies are intended to maintain current programs amid reductions in state funding for schools. A presenter identified as the superintendent told the board the 5.7‑mill figure was developed after multiple work sessions and is designed to cover inflationary costs and keep curriculum and services intact rather than to expand programs.
The renewal resolution would place the district’s existing 7.5‑mill emergency levy on the ballot for a 10‑year renewal. Board counsel noted that because the levy is classified as an emergency levy it cannot be submitted as a continuous levy; the renewal language in the draft resolution states a 10‑year term. The board passed the renewal resolution by voice vote.
On the additional 5.7‑mill proposal, district presenters said the request responds in part to a shortfall created by state funding decisions. One speaker said the state funding formula was designed to phase in updated cost factors but that the legislature has not provided updated cost data for the formula (the presenter said the formula will use fiscal‑year‑2022 cost factors), producing a net reduction in state support in coming years.
Board members and staff said they plan community outreach in the coming months to explain the need for the levy. The board approved the procedural resolution to place the new operating levy before the county fiscal officer for certification; the measure will advance to later ballot‑deadline steps if certified by the Summit County fiscal officer.
Votes at the July 16 meeting on the levy items were recorded by voice: the renewal resolution was approved and the board moved the new operating levy resolution forward for certification.
The board will publish detailed ballot language and tax‑collection estimates after the county fiscal officer supplies certification and collection figures, as required under the Ohio Revised Code sections referenced in the board’s resolutions.
