New Levy Moves Forward For Heights Schools

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — The Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education approved placing an additional 4.8 mill levy on November ballots. The measure passed unanimously at a Tuesday meeting.

"This levy is something, I personally, have a really hard time with. Our community, our world, is in a really bad place right now. It's tough. It's not something I do lightly," said Jodi Sourini, board of education president.

The levy would generate $5,308,990 per year for the school district, according to board of education documents. District officials have previously argued EdChoice and the structure of state funding for public schools has created a gap in funding for the Heights Schools.

Opponents of the levy asked whether the board considered all options before asking residents for more money for the district. Maureen Lynn, treasurer of the Heights Nation 4 Lower Taxes group, said the board has a "fiduciary duty" to protect public trust.

"The residents of this community are deeply concerned by the projected path of school spending and its impact on our community. We all understand the importance of a strong public school system, and this has been acknowledged through our community’s strong support of the school district," Lynn wrote. "We believe, however, that there are ways for the School District to operate more efficiently without the need for additional operating levies and without impacting the quality of the education afforded to students."

District leadership reiterated the struggle they had in determining whether to move forward with the levy.

"The decision to ask our community for a levy in November was not an easy one," Sourini said. "We understand that many Heights residents are facing economic instability right now. But after a levy failure earlier this year, a freeze in state funding, and on top of it all a global pandemic, our district is in a dire financial spot. This two-year levy will generate the minimum funds needed to educate our children in whatever environments we find ourselves in throughout the coming school year."

Sourini further stated that with the crippling economic circumstances created by COVID-19, she was hesitant to move forward with the levy. However, she said the board has until Sept. 4 to reverse its vote for the levy. If the board reverses course on the levy it would not appear on ballots in November.

Other members of the board, including Dan Heintz and James Posch, echoed Sourini's concerns. Both were concerned with the economics of asking residents for more money for the schools while unemployment was rampant.

Board member Malia Lewis rebuked community concerns that benefits for employees were too high, that a state auditor was needed to examine the district and that developers were eager to buy property from the school system.

"Nobody wants to increase taxes. We are in a position where we do not have a choice," Lewis said. "We wouldn't do this if we didn't feel it was absolutely necessary."

A 7.9 mill operating levy failed to pass in late April. The contentious vote divided the Cleveland Heights and University Heights communities, with the levy failing by a tally of 6,734 votes against the levy, versus 6,120 for the levy.

The full meeting can be seen in the YouTube video below.