Kent City Schools consider placing operating levy on May ballot as trustees and community ask where money would go

The Kent City Schools Board of Education on Jan. 13 considered a resolution to place an additional operating tax levy on the May ballot to support day‑to‑day district operations.

Administration told trustees the levy would feed the district’s general fund and pay salaries, benefits, supplies, buses and other regular operating costs. The board noted the district’s last new operating levy was in 2013–14, and said the district has stretched that revenue for 13 years.

During a lengthy question-and-answer period, a trustee asked what would be cut if the levy failed. The administration replied that the district would begin looking at reductions and that “we probably couldn’t go any farther than June before we made some decisions,” because later passage delays collection of new funds. The superintendent said busing would be among the first items to be affected while officials look for cuts with the least harm to students.

The funding discussion included state revenue trends. A trustee noted a larger share of school funding now comes from local taxpayers than in prior decades; administration agreed and said state support has declined as a share of total funding.

A community member raised concerns about past facility changes after levies and asked whether any school closures were being planned. Administration responded: there are no intentions or plans under discussion to close any elementary schools.

The superintendent said if the board approves the resolution it will be delivered to the Portage County Board of Elections by Feb. 4 to meet ballot deadlines. No formal dollar rate for the levy was set in the discussion excerpt; the board emphasized public outreach and details will follow as part of the levy campaign process.

The board’s discussion concluded with direction to move forward with ballot placement steps if trustees approve the formal resolution.