'We're Not Waffling, We're Listening,' Lampert Says

The Strongsville School Board has officially placed a 6-mill renewal levy on the March 6 ballot.

Unlike the , which had no expiration date, this one would be collected for only five years.

"We listened to the electorate and tried to react to the message we were getting," Superintendent Jeff Lampert said.

Board members voted Thursday night to put the issue before voters in March. It would replace an existing 6-mill levy that will expire at the end of 2012.

The levy would not raise taxes and would continue to generate about $7.5 million a year for district operations.

School officials said they heard feedback from voters this fall who did not like the fact that the renewal would be a "continuing" issue. 

Lampert said even though the district would like to be able to count on the revenue indefinitely, it's more important to make sure the schools don't lose the $7.5 million in the short term.

"We're not waffling, we're listening," he said.

But even if the renewal is approved early next year, the district will still likely have to cut $1 to $1.5 million out of the budget for the 2013-14 school year, and an estimated $3 to $4 million in 2014-15, Treasurer Bill Parkinson said.

Without new revenue, the district will face deeper cuts in the future, Parkinson's projections show.

The renewal, if approved in March, would be collected starting in January 2013. If it is not approved next year, it would mean in busing and programs.

"This issue is critical -- and I can't say that enough -- to the future of our school district," Lampert said.