Schools

More levy talk coming

As levy renewals approach, school board faces decisions.

AVON -- After a year of three contentious levy votes, Avon's school board doesn't get much of a break as more levies loom.

The agenda for Tuesday's meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the media room at  includes a vote on adding a renewal levy to the voters in 2011.

The levy will be for five years and $1.8 million dollars. If the board approves the levy, Lorain County auditor Mark Stewart will set the millage rate for the levy. Levies are for dollars, not for mills.

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The renewal levy will likely be on the ballot in May, said Avon superintendent Jim Reitenbach.

The next few years will see more levy votes. Another renewal levy will expire in 2012, as will one in 2014.

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As opposed to this year's 10-year, $4.45 million, 5.9-mill emergency operating levy, which added $180.17 in costs per $100,000 in home value, the renewal levies are not expected to cost taxpayers any additional money.

The emergency operating level was defeated in May, the first time a levy had failed in Avon since 1993, and again in August, before passing in November.

Keeping the lines of communication open is critical, as the school board learned in this year's levy votes.

Just presenting the information isn't enough, he said. It may have to be discussed again and again to assuage concerns and counter misconceptions.

"It's tough all over, whether you're a family, a business, a government or a school district," Reitenbach said. 


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