Next Step for School Levy: Try Again

There's no question school officials will again ask voters to approve the they .

"I guess we're just going to regroup and move on," School Board President Jennifer Sinisgalli said.

But not yet known is whether they will put the issue on again as a "continuing" issue -- one that is collected indefinitely -- or with a limit.

Sinisgalli said feedback she heard during the campaign indicated voters were uncomfortable with the indefinite collection.

"Every time we put it on the ballot, it costs the district precious dollars," she said. "That's why we wanted it to be continuing."

About 55 percent of voters rejected Issue 15 Tuesday, which would have picked up when an existing 6-mill levy expires at the end of 2012. It would not raise taxes.

The district is likely to . Sinisgalli said she expects the cost to be at least $30,000.

"We had hoped the community didn't want us to expend dollars that didn't benefit the students," Sinisgall said, noting that the bill from the Board of Elections for ballot issues this year has reached $150,000.

Voters in 2011 turned down a 9.9-mill levy in May and a  in August. Both would have been new taxes.

The district cut more than $7 million out of the budget this year due to those losses. 

If the renewal does not pass by next May, the district will have to lop $7.6 million -- the amount it generates a year -- out of the 2012-13 budget. Those cuts will come in the form of transportation, gifted and advanced placement programs, extracurricular activities and others items, Superintendent Jeff Lampert has said.

Issue 15 had widespread support among Strongsville leaders. Mayor Tom Perciak said lower school ratings would lead to lower home values and make the city a less appealing place for businesses to relocate.

"When a business calls about moving here, there are two questions they ask: First, tell us about your safety forces and second, how good are your schools," Perciak said.

Sinisgalli said it was encouraging that the levy was not defeated in a landslide, but it was "heartbreaking" to see an issue that would not raise taxes rejected.

"The good news is we closed the gap," she said. "The bad news is it was a renewal."