Kirtland school board votes to place levy renewal on May 2 ballot

Bryson Durst, The News-Herald, Willoughby, Ohio
·2 min read

Jan. 29—The Kirtland School Board has voted to place a 10-year, 3.74-mill property tax renewal levy for general operating expenses on the May 2 ballot.

The board unanimously approved the resolution at its Jan. 23 meeting in an effort to raise $1,552,615 per year. According to the district, the Lake County Auditor's Office estimated the cost to be $114.54 per $100,000 in property valuation.

District Treasurer Lew Galante noted that the levy was first approved by voters in 2008 and last renewed for 10 years in 2013.

"The levy generates over 10 percent of our entire general fund revenue," he added.

According to Galante, the dollar amount raised through the levy has been consistent since 2008. Rising property valuations caused the millage to decrease from 2013, when The News-Herald reported the levy at 5.12 mills.

District Superintendent Chad VanArnhem said that the levy will not bring new taxes, noting that the district's last new operating levy was passed in 2012.

"Since that time, operational costs have increased, but operating revenue has not," he added. "In fact, district revenues have been relatively flat since 2012."

During that time, VanArnhem said that the district has worked to cut spending through shared services with other school districts, grant applications and contributions from the community.

The district also passed a 0.95 mill permanent improvement levy in May 2021, though VanArnhem explained that those funds are limited to specific uses and "only can be used for property, asset or improvement with an estimated life or usefulness of five years or more."

He added that funds from the operating levy are used on classes, nurses, counselors, a media specialist, safety and security, transportation and other operating expenses.

"Seeking a renewal levy would allow the district to continue to support district operational needs, including providing for the educational excellence expected from the community," VanArnhem said.

He noted that Kirtland Schools receive 77 percent of their funding from local revenue, while throughout the state 43 percent of overall school district funding comes from local revenue.

According to the resolution, if the levy is approved, taxes under the renewal will be collected starting in 2024.