Nov 4, 2020
The fourth time’s a charm for the Euclid School District as voters approved an 8.7-mill, 10-year additional levy in the Nov. 3 general election.
According to unofficial final results from the Cuyahoga County Elections Board, the levy passed with 52.58 percent of the vote, 10,901 to 9,831.
Euclid School Board President Donna Sudar noted a renewal levy and two additional operating issues were defeated in November 2018, November 2019 and March 2020, which resulted in significant district-wide cuts.
In addition, the new levy will not completely make up for the funding lost from the renewal issues that failed, Superintendent Christopher Papouras emphasized.
“Schools have a significant impact on property values, and an improving school district will help our city’s rebounding property values,” he said. “Proper funding allows for the materials and resources our students need for success.”
Papouras added that the district has made significant growth over the past four years, including a five percent increase in graduation rates, over 93 percent of third-graders meeting Ohio’s reading requirements, and in closing the achievement gap.
“We still have work to do, but our growth is real,” he said. “Passage of Issue 71 will (now) help us protect our momentum as we continue to provide our students with the academics, career-technical education, arts and extracurricular activities they need for college and careers.”
Sudar added the $5.6 million yield provides another revenue source for the district.
“Details are forthcoming and we’re all catching our breath,” she said, adding the novel coronavirus pandemic’s effect, including restrictions at polling locations, may have deterred some voters from casting ballots in the March primary.
“We’re very thankful to the voters of Euclid for supporting our kids. We couldn’t have done it without them. It’s just so important for our future.”
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