What is the Lakewood Schools Issue?
The Lakewood Schools levy on the May 4th ballot is a 6.9 mill operating levy that will protect academic excellence and keep our community strong. It will allow the district to protect critical programs that have produced results. The Lakewood Schools issue is the smallest levy we can ask for that will protect critical programs and teachers. It will cost $18 more per month per $100,000 home value.
Why does the district need the money now?
Like all of us, our schools are faced with rising costs and lower revenue because of the struggling economy. The district also lost $2.2 million in declining property tax revenue and direct funding cuts from the State of Ohio. They’ve dealt with that responsibly: in the last five years, they’ve cut more than $9 million from its budget, and done so while maintaining educational quality. Those cuts have been made in areas that won’t directly impact the classroom, but after cutting so much, any further cuts will significantly hurt academics and student achievement.
Have the schools really improved lately?
Our schools have improved steadily but dramatically in recent years, thanks to hard work by our students and teachers, and proven leadership from our Board and District administrators. This past year, Lakewood Schools were rated “Excellent” by the State of Ohio. Moreover, value-added scores from the State indicate Lakewood students are achieving more than one year of academic growth for every year in school.
Why does this issue matter to our community?
Lakewood is a special place, and we have to keep it that way. Great communities, like ours, must have strong, successful schools, and our schools are a part of what makes this such a great place to live. Our schools have done their part; improving quality and remaining accountable. Now, it’s up to us to protect our schools by approving this issue. Without this issue, academics at our schools will suffer, which will make it even harder to attract new families and keep existing ones in our community.
How is this different than a bond issue?
Our new and renovated schools were made possible by the passage of two bond issues, in 2004 and 2007. A bond issue can only fund capital improvements to buildings (e.g. demolition, construction, interior furnishings and energy costs). Operating issues provide funds to the district that cover the day-to-day costs of running the district (e.g. teachers, textbooks, technology, etc.).
How do I know the district uses its current funds wisely?
District leaders have earned the trust of this community. They’ve consistently improved academics, and Phases I and II of our facilities improvement plan have been on-time and on-budget, giving us new, better school buildings. More importantly, they’ve kept their promises. In 2002 they pledged to make the last operating levy last three years; instead they’ve managed to make it last eight.
What cost-saving measures have been employed by the district over the past few years?:
• Keeping health care premiums to 4.56% average increase over the past 8 years thanks to participation in the Suburban Health Care Consortium, a group that was initiated in part by Treasurer Rick Berdine
• Asking employees to contribute 5-10% more toward premiums depending on coverage over the last two years. Additionally, prescription deductibles nearly doubled during the same time period. This has helped the district keep employee benefit expenditures to nearly the same cost as they were when the district last asked for an operating levy in 2002. Those expenditures now make up a smaller percent of the overall budget than in 2002.
• Rebidding the district’s property and casualty insurance resulted in 26% decrease in premiums for 2010
• Reducing the operating budget by $2.9 million for the 2009-2010 school year
• Working on cutting $5.4 million from the 2010-2011 budget
Why can’t the levy wait until after the economy recovers?
The district knows many of our residents are hurting. However, they’ve managed as long as possible without asking voters for more funds. By now, the only way the Lakewood Schools can protect academic quality is to seek a responsible, scaled-back operating levy on May 4. That’s why this 6.9 mill levy is the smallest amount necessary to achieve this. Even if this issue passes, the school district will still have to make cuts. But without this levy, we will be giving up much of our ability to be an excellent school district.
What happens if the issue doesn’t pass?
The district will be forced to make millions of dollars worth of significant cuts that will impact educational quality. The schools will not be able to keep critical programs that help our students succeed. Specialized programs for those who need additional help, and also for those students who excel and need advanced programming, will be impacted. Since personnel costs are one of the largest expenses, teachers, administrators, and support staff who have worked so hard to improve our school district, will be impacted.
Will the district have to make more cuts even if this issue passes?
Yes. Given the current economic climate, and continued reductions in State funding for our district, the only responsible course of action is to continue to find ways to trim our budget and keep our finances sound. The fact is the Lakewood Schools Issue is not enough to fully cover losses from the State and from lost local revenue. However, it’s clear that our community can’t afford that full amount, so the district will ask for 6.9 mills, and keep cutting costs. If Issue 6 passes, the cuts will be much smaller and far less devastating than if it fails.
What do we get if we approve the Lakewood Schools issue?
We can:
o Continue recent, major improvements on key state report card measures
o Maintain crucial programs that our community values
o Devote ALL funds from this issue directly to the classroom; no funds will go toward school buildings.
I can’t afford more taxes, why should I support this issue?
Making an investment in our schools is making an investment in our future – not just as a school district, but also as a community. Without strong and successful schools, Lakewood may no longer be seen as a strong community with strong property values, or a strong future.
How much of Lakewood taxpayers’ dollars go to the schools?
Just over 55% of total property tax dollars are earmarked for the schools. The rest of the money is split among the county, the library, the city, the MetroParks, the Port Authority and Cuyahoga Community College.
Why should I vote for the school levy after the Board voted to close my school?
The levy is extremely important to the health of our community. Please don’t punish that community – or waste your vote – by making a stand against one board decision. The community doesn’t have the luxury of voting down this levy to make a point. The failure of this levy will hurt the children of this district, and the quality of the community as a whole. If this issue fails, it’s projected to take at least a decade to return to the same academic and fiscally stable position we are in today.
How do the State’s budget woes impact our schools?
It’s no secret that the State of Ohio continues to face serious budget problems. Massive cuts to education have made a bad school funding situation worse. Our schools lost more than $1 million from the State in just the past year. It may take years for the State to fix school funding and in the meantime, the district has to operate within the current framework. If our community doesn’t act now, Lakewood’s children will suffer because the district won’t be able to offer them the materials and programs necessary for today’s education.
Did the district apply for federal stimulus money?
Yes. The district is receiving $3.97 million in federal stimulus money during fiscal year 2010 for operations. Application was also made for $30 million of stimulus money for school construction, but did not receive funding.
Where does the district’s revenue come from?
Local taxes make up 52% of revenues in fiscal year 2010; State funding accounts for 39% and the rest comes from various areas such as interest earnings, recreation fees, student workbook, course, and pay-to-participate fees, West Shore Career-Technical and other tuition and facility rentals.
How much more is the district paying in salaries now, compared to 2002, when the last levy was on the ballot?
Salary expenses have risen 17% since 2002, or an average of a little over 2% per year over 8 years. Please note, however, that a major stated purpose of the 2002 levy was precisely to increase professional salaries, which had become uncompetitive at that time.
