HILLIARD, Ohio — While many voters are focused on the candidates in the upcoming election, several districts are hoping to draw some attention to their issues on the ballot.
The Hilliard City Schools superintendent held another informational meeting Wednesday night at Brown Elementary School. The district is hoping to get voters on board with a levy and bond issue on the ballot.
Some parents in the district have acknowledged being fearful of what’s at stake if the levy and bond issue doesn’t pass.
"Teacher's jobs are on the line, salaries are on the line, opportunities of different types of educational programs for our students are on the line,” said Jacleine Ely, a Hilliard City Schools parent.
The 6.9 mill operating levy would support the day-to-day operations of the school district. The bond issue would allow the district to issue $142 million to construct, renovate and improve facilities.
"It's going to be great for the school district and looking four years ahead and hopefully even further it’s going to allow for so much to happen that's necessary,” Ely said.
If passed, the combined levy and bond issue would cost homeowners $242 per $100,000 of home value per year.
Some opposed to the levy are against another rise in taxes after a levy for the Norwich Township Fire Department passed earlier this year.
But Superintendent David Stewart said it's necessary funding when it comes to the operating levy because school district revenues don’t increase naturally with rising property values.
"Because of reappraisals just happening here recently, it’s natural for people to assume that just because their property values went up a significant amount that their property taxes in our revenues are gonna go up an equal amount and that's just not accurate,” Stewart said.
Some of the projects the money would be used for include replacing and building three elementary schools, a preschool center and safety upgrades.
Stewart said if the levy fails, $7 million to $10 million would need to be cut from the district’s operating budget for the next school year, which means nearly 100 jobs would also be cut.
"It’s scary to see the trajectory that could potentially happen if we don't pass it,” Ely said.
The district outlined a contingency plan of cuts that would need to be made if the levy does not pass, including reduced programming and more fees for extracurricular activities.
"That's what keeps me awake at night is knowing that unfortunately, some things that are what's best for our students would have to be eliminated as a result,” Stewart said.
Hilliard is just one of several school districts in central Ohio with a levy on the ballot this November.