43
Special election gives levies another shot
In one case, a school district is hoping the fourth time is a charm.
School tax issues already rejected more than once will be back in front of voters on the Aug. 5 special election.
The Jackson-Milton school district will ask voters for a fourth time to approve a 5.5-mill renewal levy.
The levy would raise $988,485 annually for five years for emergency expenses.
The levy was narrowly defeated during the March 4 primary, losing by 28 votes.
Thursday was the filing deadline for issues to appear on the Aug. 5 special election ballot.
The Springfield Local School District will try for a third time to get a 7.3-mill combination tax levy/bond issue approved.
The district wants authority to borrow $15,260,000 for the local share of replacing the high school and expanding the middle school to house kindergarten through grade 6. Under the plan, the elementary school would close.
Also, the ballot issue calls for a tax levy to raise $69,341 annually for 23 years to maintain the facilities.
The proposal received the support of 46.8 percent of voters in the March 4 primary.
The Lordstown and Southington school districts are also asking voters to approve tax issues for a third time on the Aug. 5 ballot.
Lordstown modified its request this time.
Of those voting in March, 44 percent supported a 5-mill permanent additional levy to raise $528,328 a year.
The levy on the Aug. 5 ballot is for 4 mills and 5 years. It would raise $422,663 annually for general permanent improvements.
Southington is seeking approval for a 1-mill, 5-year additional levy for equipping and improving buildings and sites and for current expenses, raising $63,703 annually.
Only 32.3 percent of voters endorsed the proposal in March.
The district is also asking support for a 3.15-mill, 3-year renewal levy to raise $200,133 annually.
Of those who voted for the levy in March, 41.5 percent supported it.
The Leetonia school district is asking voters for only the second time to approve a 7-mill, 5-year additional levy for operating expenses. The levy would raise $460,000 annually.
Only 26.3 percent of those who voted on the levy in November 2007 supported it.
The district last passed a levy in 1991.
X D.A. Wilkinson of the Salem Bureau contributed to this report
skolnick@vindy.com