Volunteers Launch Campaign for 6.9-Mill School Levy

The campaign for the Strongsville School District's 6.9-mill levy on the Aug. 2 special election ballot is under way -- and if it seems a little early, it's not.

Absentee ballots are already in the hands of Strongsville voters, and the city has an unusually high number of people who vote by mail.

"In May, 8,000 of the 11,000 votes were absentee," Superintendent Jeff Lampert said.

A campaign committee involving about 200 people has already manned a phone bank and put together a brochure that was mailed to voters over the weekend.

Yard signs are also appearing throughout town.

"Our campaign is shaped toward absentee voters," Lampert said.

He said the campaign focuses on three main points:

1. Academic achievements. "Nine consecutive 'excellents' on the state report card is very significant," Lampert said. "Only 11 districts in Cuyahoga County can claim that distinction."

2. Fiscal prudence. Lampert said that includes cutting 140 positions, shaving $6 million in spending since 2006 and a new teacher contract that saves $2.6 million.

3. Preserving home values.

The 6.9-mill levy, which would generate about $10 million a year and cost homeowners $200 a year for every $100,000 in home valuation, follows the defeat of a 9.9-mill levy in May.

School officials, cutting $4 million from the budget and citing better-than-expected revenue, scaled back the size of the levy. 

The school district has also launched a FAQ page on its website to answer common questions about the district's finances.

If the levy fails in August, school officials are expected to try again in November. But the board has already approved that will go into effect if the levy is defeated Aug. 2.

The cuts include all middle school foreign language programs, Mandarin Chinese at the high school and all supplemental contracts at the elementary schools, which means no advisors for clubs and intramurals.

The district would also lay off clerks, custodians, three guidance counselors, three industrial technology teachers, a media specialist and other employees.

Lampert said the campaign for the levy is expected to cost about $25,000, although that amount has not yet been raised.