RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- In November, 2024, Richmond Heights Schools came to voters with a double request -- approval of a combined property and income tax.
That request, in a contest that wasn't close, was not granted.
Twelve months later, the school district is back with a single request -- passage of a 7.5-mill operating levy.
"This levy is for operating costs only," said Superintendent Marnisha Brown. "It is not for new buildings, facilities, or expansions. It is simply to keep the lights on and sustain the programs and services of the school district."
In March, 2024, the district went before voters for the first time since 2017 seeking a hefty levy increase of 14.77 mills, which, if passed, would have paid for construction of a new elementary school building, operating costs, and athletic fields for the Upper School.
After that levy try was resoundingly defeated, the district was back before voters in November, 2024, this time seeking passage of a 3.25-mill bond issue combined with an earned income tax increase of 1.25 percent.
Only slightly better results were seen, as the 70-percent defeat of March was lowered to a 63-percent loss in November of last year.
Keeping things simpler this year, Brown explains, "Operating dollars are the funds that allow us to do the everyday work of educating children by paying our teachers and staff, transporting students safely, maintaining up-to-date technology, and providing quality programming like career technical education and the arts."
"These are the essentials that keep a school district running. Unfortunately, the cost of providing these services has increased."
"Richmond Heights Local Schools faces a $2-million deficit, not because of mismanagement or overspending, but because of the rising costs of basic operations. In fact, our district has not received any new local revenue in nearly eight years."
"During that time, we have stretched every dollar, adjusted schedules, joined consortiums to lower costs, and been recognized by the Ohio Auditor of State for fiscal excellence and maintaining an A+ bond rating."
The cost of 7.5 mills per $100,000 of home value equates to an additional $263 in property taxes per year.
Should Issue 50 fail this fall, Brown said that "real and immediate" cuts will have to be made.
"The district will be forced to make deep cuts, including reducing staff, increasing class sizes, eliminating electives and programs, and scaling back transportation services for students who attend our schools, as well as those students who live in the city and attend private/parochial schools."
"More concerning," she said, "Richmond Heights could fall under state fiscal oversight, meaning local control would be compromised, and decisions about our students and schools could be made by people outside our community."
"This is similar to state takeovers in cities such as East Cleveland, Lorain and Youngstown, but our takeover would be the result of fiscal standing, not academic."
Brown said Issue 50 represents a choice between two futures.
"One, where we maintain our current momentum and continue to build on the success of our 100-percent graduation rate, strong academic performance, and growing student opportunities; or one where we lose ground, undoing years of progress that our students, staff, and families have worked so hard to achieve."
The District has been posting weekly information pertaining to the need for levy passage. The latest can be seen here.
"As superintendent, I believe transparency is essential," Brown said. "That's why I've been posting weekly informational videos on our district website, breaking down the details of this levy, from how the funds will be used, to what it means for taxpayers.
"My goal is to ensure every voter in Richmond Heights has access to the facts before they head to the polls.
"This isn't about expansion or extravagance. It's about stability. It's about preserving the quality of education that our students deserve and maintaining local district control.
"Issue 50 is about protecting the future of our schools and, ultimately, the vitality of our city. We have one vision, one mission, and one Richmond, and I trust that our community will continue to stand together for our students.
"Issue 50 is about preserving our progress, not expanding it."