Northeastern school building levy fails, Northwestern approved

Jessica Martin, lets her son DJ, 5, watch as she votes at the Pike Township Fire House on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Staf photo by Marshall Gorby

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By Megan Gildow, Staff Writer Updated 11:39 AM Wednesday, November 4, 2009

CLARK COUNTY — Northwestern Local Schools voters approved a tax issue to fund the building of new schools Tuesday, Nov. 3, while Northeastern schools voters rejected a similar request, according to final, unofficial results from the Clark County Board of Elections.

Voters approved the combined 7-mill property tax and 1 percent income tax for Northwestern schools 2,317 to 1,950. The property portion will fund construction, in partnership with the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission, while the income tax funds operating expenses.

“I am excited at what we’re going to be able to do for kids,” said Superintendent Tony Orr. “This is a monumental task accomplished by the effort of so many people, and the community needs to be proud of itself for what it’s going to do for future generations.”

The district plans to construct two new buildings — one for kindergarten through sixth grade and one for seventh through 12 grades — on one campus. The property tax will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $225 a year.

Northeastern voters rejected a combined 7.572-mill levy and 0.25 percent income tax 3,965 to 4,931, according to the board of elections. The issue would have funded 59 percent of a construction project to build two campuses with three buildings on each; the OSFC would have paid the remaining 41 percent.

The OSFC gives districts one year to secure the local portion of the funding for the partnership.

“My recommendation is we give it another try,” said board President Leonard Kadel. “We have to. That money’s still going to be available, and we have to keep working at it.”

The board will likely discuss its next steps at its Nov. 19 meeting and would have to make a decision by mid-December to put the issue on the February ballot, said Kadel.

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To everyone who has commented on this article, I would like to invite you to our next board of education meeting to express your concerns, opinions and questions. The board will be happy to respond to your input. The next meeting will be this coming Wednesday evening, November 18th at Northeastern High School, beginning at 6:30 PM. Thank you

Leonard Kadel
1:25 PM, 11/13/2009

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Personally, I'm taking my views to the board meeting next Wednesday night.. The NELSD board will get a piece of my mind on their new schools. Hope to see all of you there who support me.

tired of this
10:30 AM, 11/13/2009

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I live in NW. Raising taxes during a major recession says a lot, none good. I am taking my 100K salary and moving elsewhere.

Dave Jones
7:18 AM, 11/11/2009

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Actually, with this weeks vote, property values in NELSD will rise and vice versa for NWLSD as the exodus begins from NWLSD to escape the highest tax rates in the county. I've been searching tax records and find that NW's tax rates are already 30% or so higher than NE's, and now will eclipse 50% with the 1% income tax.

silverlining
10:39 PM, 11/5/2009

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Wow! I'm glad I don't live in NELSD! Sounds like there's a lot of selfish, hateful people there! I live in a community with high taxes but it's nice to live in a "community". We support our schools AND our seniors.

Outsider
10:00 PM, 11/5/2009

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