Strongsville board narrows levy range to about 6'7 mills, directs staff to cost $5M reduction scenario

The Strongsville City Schools Board of Education on June 30 continued its months-long discussion of an operating levy and potential bond timing, narrowing its working levy range and asking staff to prepare concrete options for upcoming meetings.

During a presentation and extended discussion, Superintendent Cameron and Treasurer George walked trustees through multiple scenarios that combine a renewal levy with new operating revenue. One scenario showed an 8-mill levy generating about $18 million annually; trustees debated whether to pair that with $4.5 million in reductions to achieve four- to five-year financial stability. The treasurer said the district will end this fiscal year with a projected $10.4'$10.7 million spenddown and that any levy passed in November would not begin collections until calendar year 2028, creating a one-year overlap with the current renewal levy.

Public comment and multiple trustees focused on voter messaging and the optics of headline millage. Several members urged a modest, more-passage-friendly figure in the 6'7 mill range; one trustee recommended exercising a $5 million reduction target so staff can present a plan that accounts for the worst-case deficit trajectory. Board members also discussed an incremental-levee option intended to spread the tax increase more evenly across years and reduce "sticker shock" when voters see a single all-in millage number.

Trustees asked staff to return July 9 with a blank resolution setting the ballot questions and with alternative options to populate (for example 6, 6.5 and 7 mills or 7, 8, 9 mills depending on reductions and accounting for the 3.37 mills that would lapse). The board directed staff to prepare language and costings for both a standard operating levy and an incremental-levy format, plus a potential special meeting around July 23 to finalize the second resolution and meet county filing deadlines.

Board members also debated whether to use $15 million from the district's 070 fund to lower the operating ask. Supporters said the drawdown would help reach a more voter-friendly millage (near 6'6.5), while opponents warned of consequences for future facilities or bond capacity. The board agreed to include both options on future resolutions so voters and community leaders could be shown alternatives.

Next steps: trustees narrowed the operational guardrails to roughly 5.5'7 mills for discussion, asked staff to cost out a $5 million reduction scenario and to produce sample ballot language for an incremental levy by the July 9 meeting. The treasurer reminded the board the filing deadline to place measures on the November ballot requires action before July 28 for county certification.