But school officials emphasized the new 5-year, substitute levy now scheduled for the May 6 ballot will only replace a current local school tax that is expiring at the end of 2025 and will not mean a new property tax hike for Edgewood school taxpayers.
Despite recent years of budget cuts – and the loss of federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds – the 3,600-student district serving Trenton and surrounding townships has no other choice, said Edgewood Superintendent Kelly Spivey, but to seek to replace the current tax levy.
“The impact of losing ESSER funds has been a lifeline for many districts,” Spivey told the Journal-News.
“These funds allowed smaller school districts to survive during the pandemic. The additional funds supported districts with funding of staff, support programs and technology during the pandemic. For Edgewood, these funds kept the district off the ballot and allowed the existing programs to continue to exist,” said Spivey.
“We also are recognizing the need to return to the ballot and request that the emergency substitute, which begins January 2026 at the same (taxing) percent at no new cost to the community.”
The current substitute levy, which will expire at the end of December this year, generates approximately $2.9 million dollars annually.
If voters approve the new substitute levy of 4.45-mills on May 6, starting in January 2026 it will generate approximately $3 million annually through 2030.
The property tax cost for homeowners will remain the same at $156 per $100,000 house if the new substitute levy wins at the ballot.
Edgewood Treasurer Patti Bowers said despite budget cuts since the 2023 new tax levy was defeated by voters have not been enough to adequately fund the district and even more so with the pending expiration of the current substitute tax levy.
“The district made significant reductions in transportation and the district reduced several administrative positions through attrition, including - but not limited to - the director of federal programs and communication and the supervisor of food service,” said Bowers.
“The district has also reduced several certified and classified positions since 2022. However, due to the increased need for special education services, social/emotional services and other educational mandates, a few positions have been added back this year.”
Bowers said Edgewood received approximately $5 million dollars in Covid relief funds that helped to reduce deficit spending and extend the life of the operating budget.
Moreover, she said, “inflation has impacted the district’s finances, making it more expensive to maintain operations (and) the district is likely to face deficit spending again in the next fiscal year,” which for Ohio public schools runs from July 1 through June 30.
Spivey said maintaining the district’s financial health, through voter approval of the new substitute tax at no new cost to residents, is key to Edgewood’s future.
“Without these financial resources, we risk losing critical support systems that have been instrumental in helping students succeed. And to mitigate the impact of losing ESSER funds, the conclusion of the emergency funds, it is essential that we work together as a community to renew our emergency levy this spring.”
About the Author