Issue 49: CMSD levy results

Voters delivered a victory to Cleveland schools, approving a tax increase at a time when district leaders said aid was needed to avoid devastating budget cuts.

Issue 49 was passed by a wide margin, winning 66% of the vote, with almost all precincts reporting.

“Our members worked very hard to talk to Cleveland voters and make sure they understood why this was so important, and they did an excellent job, as evidenced by the outcome tonight,” said Shari Obrenski, president of the Cleveland Teachers Union. said.

“You know, it feels really good, and it feels like all this hard work is justified. And again, we couldn’t do this without the support of Cleveland voters, and we will do everything we can to continue to have their support.

Issue 49 will raise about $49 million each year for CMSD, according to the district’s chief financial officer, Kevin Stockdale. The tax increase would last 10 years and cost about $300 a year for a $100,000 home. Homeowners would start paying the new tax next year, but it will be based on this current home valuesnot the province’s new property assessments, which will come into effect in 2025.

The voters have one for the last time levy for the district in 2020, with 61% of the vote.

“There is work we need to do,” said Warren Morgan, CEO of Cleveland Schools

Cleveland Schools CEO Warren Morgan told Signal Cleveland on Tuesday evening that he was prepared for voters to approve or reject Issue 49, and that district officials had planned for both scenarios.

But the victory does not put the district’s finances in order. “This isn’t like, ‘Oh, it solved all our problems,’” Morgan said. “There is work we need to do.”

To those who voted yes on Issue 49, Morgan said he is grateful for their belief in the abilities of CMSD students.

“This is the Cleveland community saying our kids are going to show up and do what they need to do,” he said. “I am grateful to every voter in Cleveland, even those who asked tough questions. That’s okay, they’re doing exactly what they’re supposed to do. It shows a very committed community, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

CMSD will have to make difficult choices

Even with new funds from the levy, CMSD will continue to do so cuts on the horizon, according to Morgan. Stockdale provided a financial update in October that showed the district would have a budget deficit of about $76 million in 2028 with the levy.

“There is work we need to do as a district to look at our finances,” Morgan said at last month’s Board of Education meeting. “We’re going to look at our buildings, we’re going to look at our program staffing models. That happens regardless of whether a levy is approved or not.”

While passing Issue 49 would not eliminate CMSD’s budget deficit, it does give the district some time to plan for cuts. Morgan has said he wants to seek community input and minimize the impact the cuts could have on students and teachers. Earlier this year, the district cut back on before- and after-school programs and administrative staff to reduce costs.

Issue 49 also extends, by 35 years, an existing bond issue that residents are already paying for. The bond issue costs homeowners about $93 each year for a $100,000 home. The district uses that money for maintenance, renovation and new construction of buildings.

CMSD officials have been working on an updated five-year financial plan. They will present it to a Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, November 6.