Nov. 9—GENEVA — According to unofficial results from the Ashtabula County Board of Elections, a Geneva Area City Schools renewal levy failed for a third time Tuesday.
The levy received 4,351 votes against, to 3,022 in favor.
If it had passed, the levy would have collected $205,000 annually from 0.85 mills.
The levy first failed in last year’s general election, when it received 3,397 votes against to 2,242 in favor.
In the March 19 election, the levy received 1,947 votes against and 962 in favor.
Interim Superintendent David Riley said he heard about the levy’s third failure the day after the election.
“It was a disappointment,” he said. “It’s been on the ballot multiple times, and it’s been there for several years.”
Because the levy failed for a third time, it cannot be put on the ballot again.
This levy has been a part of the district’s funding since 1959.
Geneva schools treasurer Shelley McDermott said the levy’s failure will lead to a $100,000 loss in the district’s permanent improvement fund for 2025, and a $200,000 loss the year after that.
Riley said the district will account for this in its finances.
“We’ll have to take a look at where we’re at, what this means, what the impact is for our district moving forward,” he said.
McDermott will talk about the levy’s loss at her five-year forecast at the Nov. 20 school board meeting.
Riley said he encourages families to pay attention to the upcoming forecast.
There’s currently no official plan for a new levy on the ballot.
Riley said he doesn’t think district-specific issues played a role in the levy’s failure.
“Geneva is not alone in levies not passing this past election,” he said.
An Ohio School Boards Association press release said voters in the state approved 51% of school tax initiatives this election, a 19% decrease from the Nov. 7, 2023 election.
The release said renewal levies are more popular, but also saw decreased support.
Riley said levies are always controversial, whether for schools, fire, police or other local services.
“There’s a lot of taxes that are being placed on homeowners,” he said. “The current economy is a struggle right now. I get that was in some people’s minds when they are adding the taxes and all the things they got.”
Riley said said he thinks the district could have done a better job publicizing it.
“Families in the district support what the district is trying to do and what we’ve been doing, I really just think it’s a financial piece right now for families,” he said.
Riley said he appreciates residents’ input.
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