Sylvania Board advances 7.9-mill operating levy to the May ballot, sets organizational meeting and appoints president pro tem

The Sylvania Board of Education voted Dec. 15 to advance a resolution of necessity to place a 7.9-mill operating levy on the May ballot and directed staff to submit the resolution to the county for certified rates and to prepare ballot language for a January vote.

Board members said the levy had been discussed at prior meetings and described the next municipal steps. "The next step in the process will be to submit this resolution to the county, get certified rates and the amounts of what exactly that will generate," a district official said.

The board also established Jan. 12, 2026, as the date for the district's 2026 organizational meeting and debated whether to shift meeting start times. Several members argued keeping regular meetings at 6:00 p.m. better supports public participation and commuting trustees; others offered a compromise of holding work sessions at 5:30 p.m. and regular meetings at 6:00 p.m.

On leadership, the board nominated and confirmed Julie Hoffman as president pro tem through the Jan. 26 organizational meeting.

Other routine approvals taken on a consent basis included minutes, treasurer's reports, a fundraiser and appropriation amendments (consent items 5.1–5.4), acceptance of donations for school facilities and labs, and personnel actions including license resignations and classified hires and retirements. Those consent items and routine approvals were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition at the meeting.

What's next: District staff will prepare ballot language and certified levy rate information for a follow-up resolution in January; the board will meet in organizational session on Jan. 12, 2026.