All but a handful of school districts served by the Stark County Educational Service Center (ESC) are ready to move forward with a continuous levy to fund additional safety, security and mental health efforts.
If approved the 1.49 mill continuous levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $52.15 more a year. ESC would not receive any money from the levy.
17 of the 22 school districts served by ESC have chosen to participate in the tax levy meaning voters in their school systems will likely see the property tax levy on their August election ballot. If approved by the majority of voters, each participating district would receive $226 per student. District leaders would have the authority to determine how best to spend the money their district receives.
Districts choosing to participate include Alliance, Brown, Dalton, Fairless, Jackson, Lake, Louisville, Marlington, Massillon, Minerva, North Canton, Northwest, Osnaburg, Plain, Sandy Valley, Strasburg-Franklin, and Tuslaw.
Districts that have opted out include Canton City, Canton Local, Carrollton, Green, and Perry. Those school systems will not see the levy on the ballot and will not receive any money generated by the levy if it is passed.
On Thursday, April 18th the governing board of the Stark County ESC will meet to accept the districts that have chosen to participate. The board is expected to begin the process of officially putting the levy on the August 7th ballot. Then, on April 25th they are expected to meet again to approve it. Many have stated the biggest area of concern is that it is a continuous levy, or often called a ‘permanent tax.’
Michaela Madison Reporting
