The Avon School Board unanimously approved a motion that would place a “no new tax” $32 million, 2.34-mill bond issue on the November General Election ballot.
It marks the third time in the past 12 months the district has sought a $32 million levy. Unlike the first two, in November of 2011 and March of 2012, passage of this levy will not result in a tax increase. Both previous attempts narrowly failed.
If approved, the 28-year levy would generate enough funds to build a new Avon Middle School that would be finished by the 2014-15 school year.
The school would be built on a 46-acre property the district already owns on Long Road.
District treasurer Kent Zeman said if approved by voters, taxpayers would not see an increase in taxes, but a continuation of the 5.3-mill rate currently in effect.
“This is not a tax increase,” Zeman said at the July 17 school board meeting.
The 2.34 millage is essentially replacing millage that would have been eliminated in 2015.
“We had a drop in 2015 and we’re capturing that drop,” he said.
Should the levy fail, taxpayers will see a decrease in their taxes. The district is looking for additional support for this measure.
“We’re asking voters to continue paying what they were,” the treasurer said. “If approved, (taxpayers) would never pay more than 5.3 mills for 4 years, than it would continually go down moving forward (as new businesses and homes come into town),” Zeman said.
In November of 2011, the Avon Board of Education asked for a 1.25-mill $32 million bond levy after deciding the existing Avon Middle School could not be expanded to fit a growing student population, and that renovations to bring it up to state standards for a middle school were not cost-effective.
That levy was narrowly defeated by a vote of 3,903 (51.16 percent) to 3,726 (48.84 percent). In the March primary of this year, the district tried again for a 32-year, $32 bond issue to build a new middle school. It too suffered a narrow defeat, failing by 141 votes. Had either levy passed, it would have meant an increase of $38.29 per year for every $100,000 in home valuation.
In This article
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Avon Local School District
35573 Detroit Rd, Avon, OH -
Avon Middle School
3075 Stoney Ridge Rd, Avon, OH -
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Kristin Leb
2:28 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Yep, we'll vote for this one the same as we voted for the last ones. Its needed. My two will be out of the Middle School by then, but I want to keep great folks coming to, and staying in, Avon for years to come.
Michael P. Fumic
11:34 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Until someone comes up with an alternate way to fund our schools, it is still on us. Exceptional schools are the backbone of real estate values and overall community excellence.
we are investing in ourselves, our families and our future. I could choose to spend my money on LOTS less productive things but won't. I urge everyone to think progressively
and keep Avon moving forward with a yes vote this November! Mike F.
robert ryant
5:25 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
No i will not vote for the levy.at 84 i have paid enough !
Bob Klopondowki
12:30 pm on Friday, September 7, 2012
Let me get this right. This is being presented as a no increase levy, when in fact, it will be an increase when the existing millage drops in 2015? How stupid do you think people are? I am not approving this. Let the major benefactors of industry and services like the Cleveland Clinic pick up the tab. School funding should not be on the backs of individual taxpayers. The ONLY WAY to get a new way to pay for schools is to keep knocking down levies which have all ready been voted on. NO means NO. This isn't lets's keep voting until it passes.