Amherst Schools renewals worth $6.8M per year pass with flying colors

AMHERST — Steve Sayers wanted to retire with the legacy of leaving the Amherst Schools on firm footing for another decade. Voters gave the longtime superintendent his wish Tuesday, overwhelmingly passing two renewal levies that ensure $6.8 million per year will keep rolling in for the district. "I've said it before, this is a community that supports and values education and they've stepped up once again for our students," he said about 9 p.m. when unofficial Election Day results had been tabulated. Issue 1, a 4.9-mill property tax that generates $2.8 million per year, passed 3,074 to 1,647, or 65 percent to 35 percent. It will continue to cost homeowners $121.20 per year, or $10.10 per month, for every $100,000 their property is worth. Issue 2 is larger at 6.51 mills and generates $4 million per year. It passed 2,923 to 1,780, or 62 percent to 38 percent. It will continue to cost homeowners $199.37 per year, or $16.61 per month, for every $100,000 their property is worth. Combined, the levies represent about 20 percent of the Amherst Schools' operating budget. In the run-up to the election, Sayers said the district simply couldn't afford to leave that much funding behind. On Tuesday night, he admitted that educators had been sweating about the levy's outcome, particularly with inflation making it more expensive to run the school system. The fact that two big-millage levies were on the ballot at the same time "was cause for concern," but he remained optimistic voters would pull through, and his positivity was rewarded. "I'm so thankful and grateful for the support of our community," Sayers said. "… We're going to continue to be good stewards of the resources that are provided to us." A team of volunteers that helped get out absentee ballots, put up signs and wage a social media campaign made all the difference, he said. There are no other levies on the horizon for the Amherst Schools, Sayers said. The district has a continuing permanent improvement levy, and with both renewals in pocket the outlook is bright. "These two are key to our ongoing financial stability," he said. "They've kept us stable for 10 years, and barring unforeseen circumstances they'll keep us stable for another decade." Sayers has been superintendent in Amherst for 14 years, starting at a time when the schools were struggling to stay in the black. Last year, the Board of Education extended him a contract for three more years. But saying he wanted a little more time for family and travel, Sayers announced earlier this month that he will step down Dec. 31. Contact Jason Hawk at (440) 329-7122 or news@lcnewspapers.com.