LOUDONVILLE — A recently failed levy has not erased the existing facility issues at Loudonville-Perrysville Exempted Village Schools.
The district began evaluating next steps Monday evening after voters rejected an issue for its proposed Master Facilities Plan.
The district’s proposed income tax and bond issue received about 43.5 percent of votes in favor of the issues in the Nov. 3 election, Superintendent Jennifer Allerding told school board members.
“Just because the issue was defeated, doesn’t mean that we don’t have issues that need to be addressed,” Allerding said. “We just need to come up with how we’re going to do that in light of the community’s response to the most recent levy.”
In the months leading up to the election, the district organized 14 opportunities for community members to attend information sessions to learn about the proposal.
Attendance at some of the later meetings was limited, according to the superintendent.
She said four of the meetings she was involved with had no attendees, but the district also sent out mailings with the information.
Ohio school levies face challenges
Board member Wende Lance presented statewide school levy results for context regarding the election outcome. Out of the 134 school levy issues on Ohio ballots, 72 passed, just under 54 percent, according to Lance.
Renewal levies were more successful than those seeking additional funding. Lance said about 80 percent of renewal levies passed and about 30 percent with asks for additional funding were successful.
Many larger capital projects also failed. Lance said out of approximately 12 capital-project issues on the ballot, only five passed.
Other nearby districts did see some success. Ashland City Schools passed an operating levy renewal and Crestview Local Schools passed its permanent improvement renewal.
Lance said the results show a decline in historical passage rates, including requests for additional funding.
“It was just a tough time to get a levy across the finish line,” she said.
In other action Monday:
— Board President John Carroll was recognized for 15 years of service as a school board member during the superintendent’s report. The recognition is from the Ohio School Boards Association.
— The search for Heartland Technical Education Center’s next superintendent continues. Board member David Hunter said the search started with 19 candidates and is now narrowed down to four, with the goal of having the position filled in January.
Hunter also said ODOT removed the traffic cones outside Heartland Tech along State Route 60. However, construction still continues for roofing and windows at the adult education facility.
