Solon superintendent outlines 6.9-mill levy, says it would raise about $11.9 million annually

Superintendent Bolton told the Solon Board of Education on April 27 that a continuing 6.9-mill operating levy on the May 5 ballot would generate about $11,900,000 annually and cost homeowners about $242 for each $100,000 of county market value.

"It's gonna be a 6.9 mil operating levy, and that is gonna generate about $11,900,000 a year for the schools," Bolton said, outlining uses that include teacher and staff compensation, transportation, utilities, instructional materials, technology and special education.

Bolton framed the levy against broader state funding constraints, saying Solon remains one of the least-funded districts on a per-pupil basis. He warned that House Bill 920 prevents voted millage from increasing with inflation, noting that the 6.9 mills passed in 2018 now collects at an effective 5.08 mills because rates are lowered as property values change.

"That means our constituents, our communities, our businesses, our families, our homeowners, even our renters, they're the ones that have to help us make up the shortfall that the state does not provide," Bolton said.

Board members asked clarifying questions about timing and implementation; Bolton said the presented figure is for the coming year and that any E‑rate or external discounts would be handled separately. He also described district efforts to control personnel costs, citing negotiated benefits changes and average salary growth of about 1.57% per year from 2010 through 2025.

The district provided a public-information presentation at the meeting; the levy is a continuing levy that would appear on ballots May 5. The board did not take a formal vote on the levy at the meeting; the election is scheduled for May 5 and board members encouraged community members to review the county's market-value information for estimated tax impacts.