Southeast board gives facts about what could happen if levy fails



Staff Writer

SOUTHEAST DISTRICT -- The board held three community meetings recently to give residents a chance to ask questions about a proposed levy and the board a chance to explain why voters should give their support.

The meetings, held at the elementary schools in Mount Eaton, Fredericksburg and Holmesville, were conducted in a question-and-answer format, and many inquiries centered around why should the voters support the district.

The board was ready to deliver the facts on the issue, particularly since, members said, misinformation has circulated in recent weeks.

"There's a lot of information out there that's not correct," board President Sue Williams said.

Superintendent Mike Shreffler opened each meeting by explaining the district's need for the 7-mill operating levy that will appear on the Nov. 2 ballot, and how the district came to be in its current position. He also stressed the only way a district can get a significant amount of money is through a levy, and because of decreased state funding, Ohio districts are almost completely dependent on property taxes.

When multiple parents asked what to do if they couldn't afford an increase in property taxes, the board used it as an opportunity to explain the district's fate if the levy fails.

According to Shreffler, if the levy fails and the district cannot sustain itself, the state would take over, appointing a board that would operate the district. Money spent by the state would be paid back by local taxpayers with 3 percent interest.

Also, it is possible the district would have to be absorbed. Ohio law says the largest district that touches the district in question would absorb it.

"It is a possibility that Wooster would incorporate us," Shreffler said at the Holmesville meeting. "We do not want to dissolve our district."

He said if this occurred, residents would have to pay Wooster's tax rates, which would be an increase as well.

"We're going to pay the tax bill no matter what," board member Kirby Kiser said.

"This is not a problem unique to Southeast. There are many of us struggling," Shreffler said.

He said the district's future is in the hands of the taxpayers, and until they put pressure on the state government, the situation will remain the same.

"The public schools are all in the same boat, we're all under the same funding system," he said at Fredericksburg.

Shreffler also explained, as he has in past board meetings, Southeast residents have the lowest taxes in Wayne County, and even if the levy passes, they will still be the third lowest.

The board's cause was aided by a community member who asked, "If we don't pass the levy, how much will our property values go down? I just think it's easier to pay the property taxes and know what's going to happen than to have a huge gray area," he said referring to the district's uncertain future if the levy fails.

Shreffler welcomed voters to give him or anyone on the board a phone call with any questions they might have. He also offered to meet with people in smaller groups to discuss the issue.

Reporter Amanda Rolik can be reached at 330-287-1635 or e-mail

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