2011 Elections: Issue 15 is 6-Mill Renewal Levy for Schools

What: Issue 15, a 6-mill renewal levy for the Strongsville City Schools

Purpose: General operating expenses; replaces a 6-mill levy set to expire at the end of 2012

Length: Continuing

Arguments For: The renewal levy generates about $7.5 million a year, "which is a significant portion of our budget," Superintendent Jeff Lampert said. 

The school board decided to seek the renewal a year early after voters  at the polls in August. They made a significant modification to the issue though -- instead of running for five years, .

If it is not renewed, Lampert said the district will have to make serious cuts into services like transportation, food service, the gifted program and extracurriculars. He said the district might also only have minimum course offerings and would close buildings at the end of the school day.

Mayor Tom Perciak urged voters at a recent Chamber of Commerce lunch to approve Issue 15.

"It's a levy we absolutely need to renew," Perciak said. "It is no new taxes -- and I'm not George Bush."

School officials also said they have pared the budget by more than $7 million and instituted pay-to-participate fees to balance the budget as property tax revenue and state funding decline.

Arguments Against: There is no organized opposition to the school levy. Some residents have complained that the levy would run forever rather than for five years.

School officials counter that they need to be able to count on the money and that it will allow for better long-term planning.