COLUMBUS, Ohio — Voters have passed a $100 million annual levy proposed by the state's largest school district, Columbus City Schools.
The levy will cost taxpayers nearly $270 per $100,000 of taxable property value each year.
Here's a breakdown of the spending provided by the school district:
- $27.5 million for salaries connected to nearly 300 mental health positions funded by pandemic relief funds
- $1.2 million to expand pre-kindergarten programs in six locations
- $19 million to continue existing family and student support services
- $26.8 million for infrastructure improvements; like roofing, HVAC, plumbing and electrical work
- $6.75 million for athletic site improvements
- $23.4 million for renovating learning spaces; like classrooms, auditoriums and cafeterias
Columbus Board of Education President Jennifer Adair released a statement reading:
"On behalf of the Board of Education, I want to thank voters for passing the funding levy. Our students deserve the best learning environment possible, and your 'yes' vote helps us move forward in many ways, from expanding pre-kindergarten to retaining and adding safety and security positions to career advising and family ambassador programs and others that will improve the learning environment and help our students succeed. Our students are our highest priority, and I assure you we will all continue our work to provide opportunities for our students, implement efficiencies, and improve performance."
Columbus City Schools Superintendent/CEO Dr. Angela Chapman added, "Everyone at Columbus City Schools is grateful for the support our community demonstrated in passing the funding levy. The result confirms your commitment to advancing the educational opportunities for our students. The funding will allow us to upgrade school buildings, athletic sites, and classroom equipment and maintain staffing positions and programs for students and families. We have many challenges ahead of us and will continue to focus on improving performance and graduation rates. Your vote has made a difference and given Columbus City Schools a boost, and we look forward to sharing the progress we've made because of your support with the community."
The Columbus branch of the NAACP spoke out against the levy, arguing that the levy "will hurt season citizens and may force them from their homes."
Board member Carol Beckerle told 10TV last August that the levy is long overdue.
"This really feels like an important moment for our community," Beckerle said. "These levies are necessary. We wouldn't be asking our community if that wasn't the case."
Board president Jennifer Adair called the levy essential because it will build the foundation for the future of CCS students.
"It's not fair for our kids not to have what our fellow colleagues in the suburbs are giving their children. Each of us, I think, as adults in the community look at our children and say, 'You should have everything that you need in order to be your best selves' and that's what these asks do," Adair said.
The Columbus Education Association (CEA), the union representing more than 4,500 CCS educators, expressed gratitude to the community for its support.
“This election made clear that our community is as hungry for a new day in Columbus City Schools as our educators” said CEA President John Coneglio. “With a new Superintendent, new Board members, and our community stepping up to provide the financial resources our students need, we are headed in the right direction. Now the real work begins, working with our community to hold our leaders accountable to their commitments of reinvesting in our students and revitalizing our District.”