Clark-Shawnee Superintendent Brian Kuhn and Northwestern Superintendent Jeff Patrick both thanked those who voted and who were in support of their levies.
“Although these results continue the school funding challenge facing Clark-Shawnee and other Ohio schools, we respect our community’s decision and will continue to serve you with wholehearted commitment,” Kuhn said. “The board of education will review the election results, community feedback and the district’s financial forecast to decide upon next steps.”
“Even though we fell short of the votes needed to renewal our levy, we will continue to put the students first as we reassess our financial situation,” Patrick said. “Over the next several months, we will develop a plan for moving forward and share that with the community.”
Voters also chose between four separate school board seat races in Tuesday’s election for Greenon Local, Northeastern Local, Northwestern Local and Springfield City schools.
School levies
The 1% earned income tax levy would have paid for the regular operating expenses for the district, which includes salaries, maintenance, materials, utilities, vehicles, equipment and more.
It would only have applied to earned income such as salary, self employment, wages and tips. It would not apply to income from pensions, social security, disability or unemployment.
If it would have passed, the five-year levy would have raised around $3.1 million each year. For a resident with $50,000 in annual taxable income, the tax would have cost $500 per year.
The levy previously failed by almost 70% of votes in May.
The district last passed a new operating levy in 2014, which it then projected would support it for four years. Funds were stretched for 11 years through a combination of strategies, including how the money was managed and changes in the state funding formula.
Since the levy failed again, the district plans to reduce “the equivalent of one support staff position,” which doesn’t mean one staff member will be cut, but rather that hours will be trimmed here and there.
It would also increase the general student fee from $80 to $100 and pay-to-participate sports fees would go up for middle school students, from $100 to $120. The cap for families would go from $400 to $500. High school rates would remain at $200.
Northwestern levy
The 5.35-mill substitute levy would have allowed the district to continue operations by funding in part its general revenue stream.
It would have been in effect for six years and generated $1,731,950, which is 8% of the district’s general fund. This would have amounted to $186 per every $100,000 in home value, which is no change to the current tax.
Since the levy failed, the district will consider cutting programs and staffing for the 2026-27 school year.
Northwestern currently receives 12.5% or around $216,493 through rollback and homestead exemptions from the state. But Patrick previously said if the levy didn’t pass, they’d lose the state contribution and cannot get it back. Without the levy funds, the district will be in deficit spending.
The levy was last on the ballot in 2020 at 6.86 mills. In 2010, the district combined two separate levies into one substitute levy.
School board seat races
Six candidates, including incumbents Keith Culp and Stacey Hundley, along with challengers Joe Mamer, Diana S. McCubbin, Timothy Munch and Noah Clark Staggs competed for three seats on the Greenon school board.
Culp (20.33%), Hundley (20.20%) and Mamer (20.48%) won in final, unofficial results.
Culp sought re-election to continue to serve Greenon, work with other board members and make sure the district “continues to strive for educational excellence.”
Hundley sought re-election because she believes all students deserve access to high-quality education that prepares them for success in college, career and life.
Mamer said he’ll bring a student-first mindset and make decisions guided by what’s best for students, have a commitment to ongoing transparency and focus on fiscal responsibility.
Four candidates — incumbents Jeff Collins and Jeff Yinger, and Molly Krauss in addition to newcomer Katie Krupp — competed for three seats on the Northeastern school board.
Krauss (28%), Krupp (25.13%) and Yinger (25.34%) won in final, unofficial results.
Krauss sought office because of her commitment to making sure students get a high-quality education in a “safe, inclusive and inspiring environment.”
Krupp sought office because she has time to dedicate to this position and feels she’s “been called to make a greater impact and support the key initiatives of the district.”
Yinger sought re-election because he is dedicated to the district and wants to continue the hard work he and other board members have started.
Six candidates, including incumbent Kevin Macy and challengers Jordan Daniels, Seth Evans, Samantha Hart, Brenda Kaffenbarger and George White competed for three seats on the Northwestern school board.
Kaffenbarger (29%), Macy (21%) and White (14%) won in final, unofficial results.
Kaffenbarger sought office to give back and support educators, staff and students in a positive and safe learning environment.
Macy sought re-election because he’s “been honored to be a part of this process and would love to serve the community for four more years.”
Three candidates — incumbents Carol Dunlap and Stephanie Stephens, and challenger Susan Samuels — competed for two seats on the Springfield school board.
Samuels (35%) and Dunlap (33%) won in final, unofficial results.
Samuels sought election to bolster parent, community, staff and student involvement and improve student achievement.
Dunlap sought re-election “to help ensure every student has access to a high-quality education in a safe, supportive environment.”
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