CLEVELAND — CMSD school board voted unanimously this week to put a levy before residents on the ballot this November.

What You Need To Know

  • Cleveland school board voted unanimously this week to put a levy before residents on the ballot this November

  • If it passes, this levy would increase annual property taxes for Cleveland residents by about $300 for every $100,000 of property value.

  • The moves comes as the district faces ongoing financial struggles and the end of federal pandemic relief funding for public schools 

  • In addition, the district is seeking the issuance of $295 million in bonds for school maintenance, which wouldn’t affect taxpayers

The move comes as the district faces ongoing financial struggles, and the end of federal pandemic relief funding for public schools — something districts across the country are dealing with now. 

If it passes, this levy would increase annual property taxes for Cleveland residents by about $300 for every $100,000 in property value. 

School officials said the 10-year, $8.6 million levy would cost the average Clevelander $4.62 per week.

In addition, the district is seeking the issuance of $295 million in bonds for school maintenance, which wouldn’t affect taxpayers. 

The need for more funding comes as the district deals with a significant budget deficit as federal pandemic relief funding expires.

Cleveland Schools CEO Dr. Warren Morgan said after making cuts to the central office and after school and summer programming, the district was able to balance their budget for the next few years. 

But come 2027, they face a $110 million deficit. 

“I think for the next few years if our financial circumstances do not change, there are more challenges we will, or more changes we will need to make to make sure our budget is balanced,” Morgan said. “But we will not steer away from our goal of making sure there’s equity excellence and access in every neighborhood.”

Just four years ago, in 2020, 61% of voters in Cleveland approved a $15 million levy renewal.