The North Royalton Board of Education unanimously adopted a resolution that is the first step in placing a levy on the November Ballot. The levy will consolidate the district’s three emergency operating levies that are set to expire in 2019, 2020 and 2022. The consolidation of the levies will then take the form of a renewal that will be “at no additional cost to homeowners,” according to North Royalton School District Treasurer, Biagio Sidoti.
The levy would incorporate a $6,700,000 levy that was originally passed on May 5, 2009, a $6,695,000, passed on May 4, 2010 and a $4,395,000 levy passed on November 8, 2001. Each levy was a ten-year levy. The proposed ten-year levy would amount to $17,790,000, commencing on the tax duplicate for 2019 and would be first distributed in 2020.
The North Royalton City Schools Financial Advisory and Audit Committee members discussed various scenarios; they made their recommendation to the Board that the consolidation would be the best funding solution. School Superintendent Greg Gurka said that “the impetus behind this was not to continually go to the ballot three consecutive years.” Saying that the consolidation would be a more cost effective solution, saving the cost of going to the ballot three consecutive years, as well as with voter fatigue. “This renewal levy is necessary to provide funding in order to maintain current programs and services and, again, will not result in any additional costs to homeowners or businesses,” according to school officials.
The Board discussed the levy at their May 9 work session. Board President Susan Clark stated that they appreciated the work of the Schools Financial Advisory and Audit Committee and after the board discussed and studied other options, they agreed that the consolidation would be the best option. She also noted that the upcoming levy renewals were discussed during the various community engagement meetings. “This has been openly discussed for some time,” said Clark.
“In order to place an issue on the November ballot, two resolutions must be approved by the Board of Education,” according to School officials. “The first is a resolution authorizing the treasurer to certify the millage with the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer. The second is a resolution to place the issue on the ballot.” The resolution must be submitted to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections by August 8 in order to be placed on the November 6 ballot.
With the passage of this first resolution, the second resolution is expected to be considered at the Board’s July 9 regular meeting. If adopted at that meeting, the measure will be placed on the November 6, 2018, ballot. Residents are encouraged to contact a Board of Education member, Superintendent Greg Gurka, Treasurer Biagio Sidoti with any questions or attend the July 9 meeting at 7 p.m. in the Community Room at North Royalton High School.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer