Hello Independence Families,
In January, the Independence Board of Education approved the final resolution to place a school funding initiative that will be on the ballot for the community to consider this May. The current emergency operating levy, which was initially approved by voters in 2011, is set to expire in December of 2024. This levy generates $4.2 million of operating funds for the district - roughly 20% of our total general fund for expenses. The ballot language will include a renewal of the $4.2 million and an increase of $3 million per year for operations. This will be the first time the District has proposed that the community consider a levy for additional operational funds in 12 years.
The emergency levy renewal would cost a taxpayer $251 per year per $100,000 of house value. The requested increase would cost an additional $201 dollars per year per $100,000 of house value. Therefore the renewal with increase, would cost just under $38 per month per $100,000 of house value, with the increased amount accounting for $17 of that total. The district’s gross tax rate currently is the lowest in the county and would remain among the lowest in the county with the proposed levy.
Economic impacts over the past years have affected Independence Local Schools, resulting in a need for the Board to place a levy on the ballot for the community’s consideration. While district operations are structured to be as fiscally responsible as possible with the funds that currently are available, costs to provide student supports and learning opportunities are exceeding our revenue.
As a result, if passed, funds from the levy would be used, in part, to implement universal and tuition-free preschool for all four-year-olds, beginning with the 2024-25 school year, along with continued delivery of our classes, clubs, sports, technology, curriculum, and opportunities for our students.
Please be on the lookout for our spring 2023 Independence Quarterly newsletter all residents will receive in the mail, along with our spring State of the Schools video for more information about our programming, opportunities for student success, and funding.
Yours in Education,
Ben Hegedish
Issue 3 - Frequently Asked Questions
What is this levy?
This is a renewal of $4.2 million emergency levy and an increase of $3 million. The $4.2 million was first approved in 2011, and since then, has not increased. The current emergency levy generates approximately 20% of our district’s total operating budget. These are operational funds used for all aspects of district operations.
What is an emergency levy?
An emergency levy is a property tax to generate a fixed, or set, dollar amount, for up to 10 years, for operational expenses. Because the dollar amount the tax generates remains fixed, the millage rate increases or decreases as property values change.
Hasn’t the district seen revenue increases with property value increases?
This emergency levy has not increased in collections. Because it is an emergency levy with a fixed sum, the millage has adjusted over the years to generate the same amount ($4.2 million per year). The renewal millage rate is actually set to decrease, if renewed, because of property value increases.
The district has experienced modest growth in revenues as new construction and city progress.
Why does the district need this levy?
Independence Local Schools is currently in the second year of deficit spending. The district has experienced cost increases in all aspects of operations with inflation, program development, and improvements to student offerings.
How much will this cost taxpayers?
The $4.2 million renewal will cost $251 per year per $100,000 of house market value. The $3 million increase will cost $202 per year per $100,000 of house market value. The levy, if approved, will cost approximately $38 per month per $100,000 of house market value; the increase accounts for approximately $17 of these monthly dollars.
What is a ‘mill’? And what is this levy millage?
Millage, or mills, refers to a property taxation rate with a value of one-tenth of one cent. A mill can also be described as one dollar in tax for every one thousand dollars of assessed (taxable) property value (not market value). The renewal is for 8.19 mills and the increase is 5.77 mills.
What is assessed property value and how does it compare to house market value?
House market value is the fair market value as determined by the county. It is their estimate on what your property is worth. Assessed property value, or taxable value, is 35% of the market value. The county uses taxable value to calculate your property taxes.
The Independence Quarterly (IQ) and district communication outlining cost/amounts are using your property’s market value (the county’s estimate on the fair market value, or what your property is worth). See “How much will this cost taxpayers?”
When will this levy start?
Issue 3, if approved by the community, will begin collecting in January of 2025.
What can I expect if this levy is approved?
You can expect a continuation of the educational opportunities and program development that Independence Local Schools has been offering to our community. The Board of Education has also committed to having police security at each building and the development of tuition-free preschool for all 4-year-olds, which will begin during the 2024-25 school year.
What can I expect if this levy is not approved?
If this levy is not approved, the district will begin to implement additional cost reduction measures to work towards a balanced budget, seek additional input from residents, and ultimately look to present an adjusted renewal proposal on the ballot in the future.
Any other relevant information?
Independence Local Schools currently has the lowest gross tax rate in Cuyahoga County. If Issue 3 is approved, we still will be among the lowest two gross tax rates in Cuyahoga County..
The district has not requested additional operational funding since 2011.
Approximately 94% of the total operating budget comes from local sources.
As always, please reach out to me if you have any questions about the Independence Local Schools or specifically, Issue 3.
Have a great weekend!
Yours in education,
Ben