JEROMESVILLE — Hillsdale’s renewal levies failed at the ballot in November, so the district returned to the drawing board and is trying, again, to pass the tax issue — this time with the help of a levy committee.
The board held a special meeting Monday with the committee chair, Rob Klenk, in attendance. The superintendent, treasurer and board members shared facts about the levy and what would happen if it didn’t pass during the meeting.
(Below is a copy of the board’s agenda.)
The renewal levy that failed in November and is back on the ballot is a 20.1 mill operating levy. District officials and the county auditor have said taxpayers will have to pay the same amount whether the levy passes or not. Instead, its passage — or failure — determines how much the district will receive in public utilities revenue.
Curious how levies work? Read this
“I think I made a mistake the last time we ran the levy because we were really quiet around the impact of the vote yes, vote no — it doesn’t really matter,” said Keith Yeater, one of Hillsdale’s board members, at Monday’s meeting.
“Based on what we see, what we’ve heard from the community coming back in, that (we’re) needing to get out there that it really doesn’t impact what they have (to pay) either way.”
Rules governing schools’ ability to advocate on levies
In Ohio, laws prohibit school districts and school boards from using public funds to support or oppose the passage of any levy or bond issue. Districts also can’t compensate employees for any time they spend trying to influence the public to vote on a levy or bond issue.
School districts and district personnel — like the superintendent or treasurer — can provide factual information about tax issues. They can also participate in advocacy for or against a levy, so long as it’s outside their working hours.
Board members have a bit more leeway, and can serve on a levy committee or explain their reasons for voting for or against a levy in board debates. But, they cannot be compensated for any time spent advocating for or against a levy.
“A superintendent, treasurer, or board member may attend a public meeting during regular working hours for the purpose of presenting factual information about school finances, activities and board actions, even if the purpose of the meeting is to discuss or debate the passage of a school levy or bond issue,” states a fact sheet from the Ohio auditor’s office.
What happens next?
Voters will have a chance to weigh in on the operating levy’s renewal at the ballot box May 6.
If the levy renewal does not pass in May, the district has one more chance to place it on the ballot in November before it would have to grapple with a loss of funds.
Treasurer Lesa Deter told the board if the operating levy renewal goes down, the district would lose $2.9 million in funding in fiscal year 2026. It’d fully lose out on the 20.1 voted mills in public utility revenue in fiscal year 2027, which would be about $5.8 million.
According to the district’s website, $8.7 million in public utilities revenue is at risk. The operating levy pays for staffing, supplies and keeping the district’s lights on, Supt. Catherine Trevathan previously told Ashland Source.
