School levies will figure prominently on local ballots. Voters in a number of Northeast Ohio school districts, such as Parma and Richmond Heights, have repeatedly rejected past requests for money. Scott Ebright of the Ohio School Boards Association says it's tough these days to even get a renewal passed.
SCOTT EBRIGHT: Renewals used to be a "gimme". And people are worried about them. You don't know how this economy is going to affect people when they go to vote. Regardless what happens on Wall Street, schools have a need or they wouldn't come asking for money. And the schools, unlike the banks can't go to the government for a handout.
Several districts across the region have been threatening deep budget cuts, if levy requests are turned down. The Amherst School Board says if its 6.9 mil measure is defeated, it will cut extra-curricular activities and busing. Similarly, the South Euclid-Lyndhurst School Board says it will cut all athletics and 40 teachers if it's 5.4-mill measure is rejected.
One of the more controversial proposals related to education in Northeast Ohio is bundled up in Akron's Issues 8 and 9 --- the charter amendments that would establish a scholarship fund for city students, to be financed by leasing the Akron sewer system. Cleveland voters will have their own high profile charter amendment to consider --- Issue 39, which would reduce City Council from 21 wards to about 17, pending population fluctuations.
The library system of Cuyahoga County is looking to replace and increase it's current operating levy from 2 to 2-POINT-5 mills. Libraries in Stark and Wayne Counties are also taking funding measures to the voters.
