OHIO —  Some school districts across the state of Ohio are breathing a sigh of relief now that their levy passed. But others will begin the work of making deeper cuts than what was initially planned.

• OFT president calls for the state to step in and help school districts
• At least 24 school levies didn't pass
• Districts with failed levies will begin cutting teaching positions and programs

71 out of 99 school districts in the state placed a levy on the voting ballot. It was in hopes of avoiding major deficits. But what they didn't count on was COVID-19 revenue losses, coupled with EdChoice voucher costs compounding the funding issues. While many of the levies passed, more than 20 did not, and now districts begin the tough work of cutting programs, positions and services.
 
Tuesday's statewide election will go down in history books not just because of the COVID-19 impact, but because of the results it handed two dozen school districts hoping to get extra money. That's money that would keep them out of the red while avoiding steep cuts. Ohio Federation of Teachers Union President Melissa Cropper said she was disappointed that the levies didn't pass. 
 
"These districts needed this money prior to the COVID-19 crisis. And now that we're in this economic downturn, it's even more imperative that they have this money to be able to meet the needs of students."
 
Cropper believes that with an election during a time of crisis where people have been laid off, it put a damper on voting, in addition to the fact of people knowing a lot of the money would be going towards EdChoice vouchers, which funds private school education. 

"I think it's to be expected that a lot of 'em are gonna vote no. And that's unfortunate and I think the state needs to make up for that," Cropper said.
 
So what does this mean now for districts who were already facing looming state cuts, local losses in revenue and EdChoice voucher costs? In districts like Euclid City Schools, they are waiting for the official results to be released in May because the vote was so close and 800 ballots still need to be counted. In a statement released by the district, the superintendent said they will still have to cut teaching positions to balance the budget. 
 
Beavercreek City Schools asked for the most money — $18 million. While it would have been a continuation of a current levy to cover basic operations, it failed, leaving them to address a quarter- size hole in their budget. 

West Clermont Local Schools avoided an $11.5 million deficit and many cuts as voters passed a levy there, while Willoughby Eastlake City Schools will recoup a little over $8 million in state cuts, which will hopefully allow them to restore bussing, sports and classroom supplies.

However in Brunswick City Schools, the failed levy leaves a $12 million deficit that they'll see in 2023. The failed levy now forces the district to cut career tech bussing and possibly staff. 

Lastly, Cleveland Heights-University Heights, which sees the most money go out to students for EdChoice vouchers, will have to reduce their budget by $5 million and cut dozens of staff at all levels, since the levy failed there. The superintendent there released a statement noting that they were disappointed that the levy failed, but now they will continue their “advocacy work in ensuring that the state funds EdChoice vouchers directly instead of deducting the funds from public school districts. It’s an unsustainable funding model and must be changed.”

With so many schools struggling, Cropper reemphasized the need for the state to step in quickly.

"At a time when, quite honestly, our students have more needs than they had before, they're gonna come back after having been out for a while. They're gonna have a lot of mental stress from the situation they've been through. We actually need more people in schools, not less and more resources and not less. So, how are we gonna deal with this?"

The belief is that if districts can get help now, it will make a difference later. 

Cropper says she's happy for those districts who had a levy pass because they can now begin planning for their future in a positive way. But for those districts where levies failed, she believes a number of them may try to put a levy on the ballot in November with hopes of it passing then.