New Philadelphia School Board won’t retry tax issue in November
NEW PHILADELPHIA – The Board of Education will not be back on the ballot in November to ask voters to help fund new schools.
School Board members at a Wednesday morning work session agreed not to pursue tax funding for new school buildings following the defeat of an income tax issue earlier this month and two failed property tax levies prior to that. Board member Perry Petrullo said it would be “pointless” without the community on board.
School Board President Jennifer Schrock said she hated to leave $80 million on the table, which is what the district would have received from the state if it passed a levy by the end of the year. However, Board members said it was not likely to pass since around 60 percent of voters opposed previous attempts.
“Affordability… is the No. 1 issue among voters. It’s the No. 1 issue that we’re dealing with,” Schrock said.
She said another attempt could hurt future operating levy renewals, including one that could be on the November ballot.
“My fear would be that [voters] would reject anything that would come after that, even if it was a renewal,” she said.
“For me, securing this renewal, thinking about our budget… that’s a priority.”
Board members on Wednesday started the paperwork process to put a renewal levy on the November ballot. They will decide in the next few weeks if they will pursue that renewal now or wait until next year.