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Garfield Heights officials urge approval of Issue 48 renewal levy, say failure would force deep cuts
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Richard Reynolds and Treasurer/CFO Phil Boco told a livestream audience that Issue 48 is a renewal levy that would not increase taxes, but failure to renew would require significant staff cuts, possible school closures and reduced programs beginning in the 2026–27 school year.
Garfield Heights City Schools Superintendent Dr. Richard Reynolds and Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Phil Boco used a public livestream to urge voters to approve Issue 48, a renewal operating levy they said would not raise taxes and is needed to maintain current services.
"There are no new taxes on this levy," Dr. Richard Reynolds said, describing the measure as necessary "just for us to keep the lights on." Phil Boco added that the levy is a renewal, not a new-money ballot, and said the district has tried to stretch one-time federal and grant funds to cover capital needs.
District leaders described a string of recent investments funded largely with one-time dollars and federal grants after a 2023 bond failed. Boco listed projects including new windows at the middle school, replacement of an original HVAC chiller at Maple Leaf, updated security doors at the high…
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