Voters OK more money for schools in Stow, Copley. Levy fails in cash-strapped Springfield

Voters in the Springfield and Nordonia school districts turned down requests for new tax dollars at the polls Tuesday, while Stow-Munroe Falls and Copley-Fairlawn voters approved school levies by solid margins.

Residents in communities throughout Summit County voted on a variety of issues that will impact schools, police, fire departments and parks.

The 1,800-student Springfield Local School District, which serves Lakemore Village and Springfield Township, failed to pass an additional levy that would have eased significant budgetary pressures.

The district is in fiscal watch with the Ohio Department of Education, and has been so since Sept. 14. It is the only district in the state currently in fiscal watch, according to the agency. Further slippage in its economic outlook could bump the district into fiscal emergency status, and state takeover of finances.

The district also lost a levy attempt in May, falling 145 short out of 3,819 cast.

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Here's how these and others issues across the county fared, according to final, unofficial results:

Springfield Local School District loses at the polls again

An additional five-year, 3.9-mill levy would have helped the Springfield schools move out of state fiscal watch, but voters were not ready to give more funds to the district.

The measure failed 2,506 to 2,202, or by 304 votes — slightly worse than the levy loss in May.

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Board of Education President Larry Petry was disappointed by the loss and suggested difficult decisions would have to be made.

"We are devastated by the response of the community to our levy request," he said in a text message. "We have hired new leadership, right-sized the district staff, closed school buildings and cut spending. We will be very challenged to meet our financial obligations as we plan for the future."

Copley-Fairlawn voters OK 2.98-mill bond issue for school and stadium renovations

In the 2,600-student Copley-Fairlawn City School District, voters approved a 2.98-mill bond issue that will raise $50 million for school and stadium renovations and upgrades.

The cost to the owner of a $100,000 home is about $104 per year, said Superintendent Brian Poe in a video to parents.

The issue passed by a largwide margin — 5,666 to 4,464, or 55.93% to 44.07%.

Stow-Munroe Falls voters approve 6.9-mill levy for daily operations

Voter in the 5,000-student Stow-Munroe Falls City School District passed an additional levy to raise about $7.9 million a year. The 6.9-mill levy will last for 10 years.

The new dollars will help pay to maintain daily operations, including teachers and staff, programs and utilities.

The levy passed 9,084 to 8,104, or 52.85% to 47.15%.

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“We greatly appreciate the support of the community and all of the people that worked so hard to pass this levy for the benefit of our students to maintain the school district that our students, families and community have come to expect!” Superintendent Tom Bratten said in an email.

Nordonia voters turn down 7.75-mill levy to consolidate buildings into three new schools

A 7.75-mill Nordonia Hills bond issue that would have raised $165 million and lasted 37 years failed to convince voters, who rejected the issue 9,482 to 6,213.

If approved, the money would have been used to consolidate its six aging buildings with three new school facilities.

Renewal school levies pass in Twinsburg, Coventry and Cuyahoga Falls

Renewal levies for Twinsburg City School District, Coventry Local Schools and Cuyahoga Falls City Schools all passed.

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Barberton voters turn down police levy

A police levy that would have raised about $250,000 a year to buy new equipment and help shore up aging police facilities in Barberton failed to gain majority support.

The 0.75-mill, 10-year levy lost 3,833 to 3,007, or 56.04% to 43.96%.

In neighboring Norton, a police levy also failed in May.

Coventry Township voters reject parks levy

Voters in the southern Summit County township rejected a levy that increased funds for Coventry parks. The .75-mill levy would have lasted five years, with funds used to purchase and improve park lands. The measure failed 2,024 to 1,790, or 53.07% to 46.93%.

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Trustee Ed Diebold thanked residents for voting and said trustees would consider their options in light of the loss.

"While we are disappointed with the results, we respect our electorate's (decision)," he said in a texted response. "The trustees will reevaluate what we will put on the ballot this spring."

Northfield Center and Copley voters approve new levies

Northfield Center Township voters approved an additional fire levy of 2 mills and a renewal levy. A Copley bond issue for safety center construction and renovations also passed.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: New levies fail in Springfield school district, Barberton, Coventry