MAPLETON — Both Mapleton Local School District levy renewals passed late Tuesday night.
The 4.0 mill levy renewal for current expenses passed with a 55.67 percent approval rate, while the 4.0 mill levy renewal for permanent improvements levy was approved by 55.38 percent of voters, according to final unofficial election results from the Ashland County Board of Elections.
Both levies were renewals, so there is no increased rate for taxpayers.
Each of the two levies were first passed in 1991 and are four mills for each one dollar of household valuation, which equates for each $100 of valuation for a continuing period.
“It costs around $5,000 to the taxpayers every time we renew,” said Kathleen Wiley, Treasurer for Mapleton Local School District. “This is for attorney fees for preparation of the renewals and Board of Education fees.”
The permanent improvements levy renewal brings the over $265,000 annually.
This levy has been used for a multitude of recent projects including the replacement of some school buses, the purchase of an additional transportation van, repaved asphalt at the high school parking lot, blinking school zone safety signs.
The current expenses levy renewal will be used for general funds, on the other hand, includes updating technology, purchasing textbooks, school supplies, custodial supplies, bus repairs, employee salaries and benefits, as well as property insurance. It brings in over $322,000 per year to the district.
Funds from this levy have also been used to purchase science lab materials, technology including Chromebooks and laptops, and additional textbooks as well. This levy has also allowed the district to establish outdoor basketball and volleyball courts, upgrade their security camera systems, and install classroom amplification systems for the hearing impaired.
Also, this levy will also cover several future purchases including a repaved parking lot at Mapleton Elementary School, gym roof repairs at the middle school, exterior brickwork maintenance, a bus washing station as well as a stage extension for the high school/ middle school with an upgraded lighting and audio system.
