Question 1

If Issue 71 passes, when will the tax be collected?"

Accepted Answer

The language that appears on the ballot issue specifically states the effective date for the school levy.  State property tax law is set up to always collect the tax after the tax year is complete. We do not have any control in establishing when the tax year ends and begins. We present Issue 71 on the ballot in accordance with state tax law.  This is the same requirement for previous school levy and is also true for all school levies in the State of Ohio.

Question 2

What is Issue 71?

Accepted Answer

Issue 71 is an 8.7 mill operating issue and will appear on the November 3rd ballot. This issue will provide our schools with funds to provide quality education and build on our students’ academic growth.

Question 3

How are the Euclid Schools improving?

Accepted Answer

The truth is our schools are getting better. Euclid High School’s 4-year graduation rate increased by five percent. More than 93% pf third-graders met the Third Grade Reading Guarantee requirements. The State reports that the academic performance of our students has improved for each of the last four years. Students who need academic help are closing the gap and catching up rapidly. Issue 27 will provide our schools with the resources to protect and build on that progress.

Question 4

You passed a bond issue in 2016. Why are you asking for Issue 71?

Accepted Answer

In 2016, voters approved Issue 111 - a bond issue to rebuild our high school and middle school and create an Early Learning Village for pre-K and Kindergarten learners. By law, school districts can only use bond issue funds for school construction. Our leadership also promised to use Issue 111 funds for facilities. This new operating issue will provide our schools with the day-to-day funds needed to build on our academic growth.

Question 5

What will happen without Issue 71?

Accepted Answer

Without Issue 71, the Euclid Schools will be forced to make additional and significant cuts that will negatively affect our students’ academic growth and progress. Those cuts include teachers, administrators, athletics, and the arts.

Question 6

I’m not sure if I’m registered to vote at the correct address. How can I check or update my registration?

Accepted Answer

You can check your registration, update your voter registration, or register to vote at www.myohiovote.com. You can also register or update your registration by picking up an application at Euclid High School, Euclid Public Library, or Shore Cultural Center, and mailing the completed application to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections at 2925 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland OH 44115. Lastly, you can register or update your application in person at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, located at 2925 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland OH 44115

Question 7

When is Election Day?

Accepted Answer

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. You can find your polling location at www.myohiovote.com.

Question 8

Can I vote early?

Accepted Answer

Early voting begins on October 6th. You can vote early in person at the Board of Elections at 2925 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115. You can also request an absentee ballot and vote from home at www.boe.cuyahogacounty.us/ and click “Vote-by-Mail” along the left side of the screen.

Question 9

How much of our budget is spent on special education?

Accepted Answer

In FY 2019, approximately 27.4% of our total operating expenditures were tied to special education needs.

Question 10

How does the average teacher pay at Euclid Schools match up to other districts?

Accepted Answer

Euclid City Schools makes every effort to recruit and retain the very best teachers for our classrooms.  As we all know, the teacher's salaries are shaped by the competitive market in the Greater Cleveland Area.  Our average teacher salary is in the lowest 25 percent of Cuyahoga County. Despite this statistic, our staff is professional, highly knowledgeable, and above all passionate about working with children and supporting families.

Question 11

Why does Euclid City Schools need these funds?

Accepted Answer

The district lost $5.6 million annually when the renewal levy failed in 2018. This required the district to make significant cuts that included reducing transportation for grades 1st through 8th to the state minimum of students who live more than 2 miles from school. We are asking the public to restore our funding to the level it was prior to the defeat of the renewal levy. We have less money than we need to provide the level of services and education that Euclid’s children must have to be successful in life. More cuts will be needed if the levy fails.

Question 12

Does the State Report Card take into account differences like income levels?

Accepted Answer

No, it does not. To look at the Report Card from a different perspective, Carol Kovach’s ‘Special Report in Cleveland.com’ adjusts the State Report Card district rankings by Medium Household Income. According to the Kovach report, the Euclid Schools ranked ahead of all of the following Cleveland-area districts: South Euclid-Lyndhurst; Cleveland Hts.-University Hts; Shaker Hts; Richmond Hts; Berea; Bedford; Willoughby-Eastlake; Garfield Hts; Mentor; Maple Hts; Kirtland; and Strongsville. And are ranked just behind the districts of Independence; Hudson; Kenston; and Orange.

Question 13

How much will this cost?

Accepted Answer

The owner of a $75,000 home will pay about $19 a month.

Question 14

Why do Euclid Schools need more money?

Accepted Answer

The district lost $5.6 million annually when the renewal levy failed in 2018. This required the district to make significant cuts that included reducing transportation for grades 1st through 8th to the state minimum of students who live more than 2 miles from school. We are asking the public to restore our funding to the level it was prior to the defeat of the renewal levy. We have less money than we need to provide the level of services and education that Euclid’s children must have to be successful in life. More cuts will be needed if the levy fails.

Question 15

When did the cuts take place?

Accepted Answer

The loss of the renewal issue in the fall of 2018 resulted in the elimination of 10 teaching positions, 5 administrative positions and 8 classified positions. These staffing cuts were implemented this school year (2019-20 school year), which started in August 2019. This also included reducing busing to state minimum levels for grades first through eighth.

Question 16

How do we know that you are spending money wisely?

Accepted Answer

Euclid Schools earned the Auditor of State Award with Distinction and had no audit findings. Our average teacher salary is in the lowest 20 percent of Cuyahoga County and our average administrator salary is the lowest in the county.
The district made $1.6 million in cuts before asking voters to approve the 2018 renewal levy. We made the cuts through staff reductions, purchased services cuts and tightening our administrative belts. If the cuts were not made, the district would have had to ask for additional money in 2018 instead of asking voters to approve what the district was already receiving.

Question 17

I don’t have children in school. Why should I vote for the levy?

Accepted Answer

More than 3,000 community events took place in Euclid Schools’ facilities. Community members of all ages are invited to use our facilities like our pool and track. Various independent youth athletic tournaments that use these facilities bring thousands of visitors to Euclid who patronize its restaurants and businesses. Organizations like homeowners associations and scouting programs use our buildings.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS