Lorain Schools levy fails by less than 500 votes

LORAIN — Lorain Schools' levy failed Tuesday, but it won't be the last time voters see the issue on the ballot according to the school board president. Issue No. 37, a 6.8-mill, five-year levy, failed by 454 votes, according to unofficial election results. The levy would have generated $4.1 million per year, costing owners of a $100,000 home $238 per year. There were 2,202 people, or 45 percent, in support of the levy, while 2,656, or 55 percent, were against it. CEO Jeff Graham said he will have to talk with the board, but it would be his recommendation to put the issue back on the ballot in the spring. Without increased revenue, the district is facing a $13 million deficit by 2023. Without the increased revenue, the district will need to make some tough financial decisions, he said, but it was not time to panic Tuesday evening. "We have great people," Graham said. "Everything else is fixable." Looking at the ballot, there were a large number of levies on at once and it is a tough time, Graham said. He and School Board President Mark Ballard said they appreciated the community's support and effort to rally behind the students. Ballard noted the very low turnout — only about 4,800 turned out to vote on the issue — and confirmed this won't be the last time the district goes to voters for new money. "I believe in our kids, our community and we'll get back up on the bike and go again," he said. Bambi Dillon, volunteer and former chair of the Levy Committee, agreed. In the last 15 years, the district has passed new money and seen support for renewals, so people do care, she said. "We're ready to proceed again," she said. It was the district's first ask for new money in nine years. This story has been updated to reflect Bambi Dillon is the former chair of the school's levy committee. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.