Ballot Issue: Copley-Fairlawn Schools Renewal Levy

What: A 2-mill continuing levy that will replace a 2-mill renewal levy for the Copley-Fairlawn City Schools District.

Election Day: Nov. 8

History: The 2-mill tax levy has been on the district’s books for a quarter century, reappearing on the ballot every five years as a renewal. Voters approved it in 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006.

Without increasing the millage, the Board of Education voted this summer to alter its terms from a renewal to a continuing levy. If approved, the measure would not appear on the ballot every five years. Instead, it would simply continue to raise money for the district.

“After 25 years and five renewal cycles, we chose to make this a continuing levy because of the trust we’ve built up with our community and the fiscal responsibility we’ve shown,” said Superintendent Brian Poe.

Appearing on the ballot as Issue 17, the levy will generate $1.73 million annually to fund permanent improvements, said John Wheadon, district treasurer.

He said the owner of a home valued at $100,000 will pay $61 annually or about $5 per month. “It’s a renewal, so there’s no increase at all to what people are already paying,” Wheadon said.

Argument For: Residents won’t see a tax increase by approving the measure, but the district’s six buildings – three elementary schools, middle school, high school and bus garage – would suffer greatly without approval.

Poe said the levy funds permanent improvements such as the repair and replacement of roofs, parking lots, windows and doors, technology, heating and air conditioning, classrooms, restrooms and vehicles.

“There are roof leaks in five of the buildings, so that would be first and foremost on our list. The next things we would address would be window and door replacement on an as-needed basis,” Poe said.

He said district officials are confident their permanent improvement plan for district buildings is on track, thanks to a recent in-depth study performed by the Ohio School Facilities Commission.

“At no cost to the district, they came in and did a review of each of our six facilities. That affirmed some of the information we already had regarding the state of our buildings, and they presented guidelines in terms of costs,” he explained.

Argument Against: Poe and Wheadon have not heard any opposition to the levy renewal, nor are they aware of others who have heard any.

“It’s not for salaries and benefits, but for the upkeep of our facilities,” Poe said. "We’re cognizant of the fact that even though this isn’t a tax increase, people are paying their hard-earned dollars … We simply want to keep our school facilities at the level that equates to our academic success in the classroom.”

Poe said anyone with questions or concerns about the levy request should call him at 330-664-4801, Wheadon at 330-664-4815 or any Board of Education member.

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