Breaking down the Huron City Schools tax levy

Huron, OH – At the May 4th election, Huron voters will see only one issue on the ballot: a new tax levy for Huron City Schools.

According to the ballot issue, the levy is being sought “for the purpose of avoiding an operating deficit of the school district in the sum of $2,100,000 per year.”

If approved, the levy will cost taxpayers an additional $192 per year for each $100,000 of property valuation. Specific property values can be found on the Erie County Auditor’s website.

Citizens for Huron Schools, a pro-levy committee, stated that the main reason for the forecasted $2.1 million annual deficit, is increased expenditures. They stated, “The district has been operating at essentially the same spending level since 2005. The cost of teacher salaries, utilities, gasoline for busses, maintenance, and supplies all rise over time, and eventually the district needs more revenue to cover those increases.” They also cited the phaseout of tangible personal property tax between 2008 and 2018, which they claim reduced revenue to the schools by $2 million over ten years. Tangible personal property includes items such as business equipment, furniture, and automobiles.

When asked about what would happen if the levy fails, they said, “our committee cannot speak for the School Board or the administration, but based on our conversations with the administration and our analysis of the budget and 5-year forecast, if the May 4th Levy fails, the school district will likely plan modest cuts for Fiscal Year 2022, and then put the levy back on the ballot in November. If the November levy fails, the district will be forced to make deep cuts for Fiscal Year 2023. But time is of the essence, as property taxes are collected in arrears. That means any increase in taxes won’t be realized until Fiscal Year 2023. If no tax increase is passed, the only way for the district to remain solvent will be to reduce staffing, most likely at the lower grade levels. If these cuts are made for FY2023, the largest impact will be a significant increase in students per classroom. Based on the cuts that will be required, this increase could be as much as 50% or more in Elementary. That is the equivalent of going from 16 kids per classroom to 24.”