Registered voters in the Elyria City School District will have Issue 19 on their May 6th Primary Election ballot. Issue 19 marks the first time in 15 years that the district has placed a request for new funding on the ballot.
If approved, dollars from Issue 19 will help the district continue educating Elyria students with the teachers, training, programs, and support needed for successful futures. The levy will appear on the ballot as a result of a Board of Education vote that took place on Jan. 8th.
In order to participate in the upcoming election, district residents, 18 years and older, must be registered to vote by the deadline on April 7th. View these frequently asked questions to learn more information about the election and Issue 19.
What is on the May 6 ballot?
The Elyria City Schools Board of Education on Jan. 8th voted to place Issue 19 on the ballot. It’s a 10-year, 4.9-mill emergency levy that, if approved, would raise $6.4 million per year to fund the district’s operations.
What does this issue fund?
The levy would provide $6.4 million per year in operating dollars to help the district continue paying for the teachers, support staff, technology and tools that educate more than 6,000 Elyria students every day. From core academic to career-tech courses; design-engineering programs like robotics; performing arts clubs; honors programs; and sports for every season, the Elyria City School District will also use levy dollars to continue funding the programs, training and activities that provide the skills needed for successful futures and enrichment.
How much will these issues cost property owners?
The levy would cost property owners within the district about $14 per month per $100,000 of county auditor appraised value.
Why are the schools on the ballot now?
By law, Ohio school districts must provide their communities with two, five-year financial forecasts each year. ECSD’s most recent forecast stated that the district would exhaust its reserves by 2029. Rising expenses and declining state aid also contribute to this outlook. Because the district only asks for what it needs, this levy represents the first request for new funding in 15 years. Many school districts in Northeast Ohio make such requests every three to five years.
What happens without this levy?
Without the levy, the Elyria City School District would need to cut at least $6 million dollars from its operating budget, which would force the district to eliminate programs, reduce transportation and cut teachers and staff. If voters reject the levy, the district will exhaust its reserves by 2029, given inflation and declining state funding. This would place the district in financial danger and disrupt students’ learning throughout the school system.
What is an emergency levy?
An emergency levy is a fixed-sum levy placed on election ballots by school districts in order to generate a specific amount of revenue each year it is in effect. Such levies can be proposed for a maximum of 10 years. Emergency levies may be renewed for the dollar amount originally requested or with an increase or decrease.
I read that schools in Lorain County would see a funding increase as part of the next phase of Ohio’s Fair School Funding plan. Can’t the district use those funds instead of a levy?
Although the phase-in has gotten media attention amid recent state budget discussions, the increases are not new. They are part of the six-year phase-in that has already been factored into Elyria City Schools’ five-year forecast, which district Treasurer Colleen Aholt presented in November 2024.
Will the district see increased revenue from the recent property tax reappraisals?
Yes, but it should be noted that this revenue is not new; it was included in the district's forecast as part of the preparation for the state’s triennial update. Because this growth has been accounted for in our projections, it does not change the district’s financial reality or need for funding to continue preparing Elyria students for successful futures.
How have Elyria City Schools managed taxpayer dollars in the past?
Elyria City Schools has cut costs to stretch the budget for years, including streamlining low-attendance programs and restructuring administrative positions, and refinancing bonds, which has saved taxpayers over $1 million. The district takes measures to ensure that it is operating as efficiently as possible, such as regularly performing transportation audits for full routes. ECS has also been recognized for its fiscal responsibility, earning 20+ consecutive clean audit awards from the Auditor of State.The district has also received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association every year since 1998.
How do students at Elyria City Schools perform compared to other, similar school districts in Ohio?
Students at Elyria City Schools typically outperform students from similarly sized school districts in similar environments on standardized tests and are well-equipped with the skills needed for college and/or careers. ECS offers more than 200 academic, arts, and sports clubs and teams at the high school level to further our students' education and enrich their experience by creating opportunities to build leadership, teamwork, critical thinking, and other skills.
How and where can I vote?
The deadline to register to vote in the Primary Election is April 7th. Click here to check your registration status to ensure you’re registered by the deadline. You can register or update your registration by clicking here.
Election Day is May 6th. Find your polling location by visiting the Lorain County Board of Elections website. Polling locations will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. for those who prefer to cast their vote on election day.
You can also vote early and in person beginning April 8th at the Lorain County Board of Elections (1985 N Ridge Rd. East, Lorain). Click here for the full early, in-person voting schedule.
You can also vote absentee by mail, but you must request an absentee ballot first. Visit the Lorain County Board of Elections website to request an absentee ballot. All requests must be received by the Board no later than 8:30 p.m. on April 29th. Once you’ve made a request, you can track your ballot by clicking here.