Issue 11: Lorain County Board of Developmental Disabilities puts new money levy to voters

ELYRIA — Voters will see an issue to fund Murray Ridge Center and School on the ballot this spring. If passed, Issue 11, a 0.85-mill increase for the Lorain County Board of Developmental Disabilities, would allow Murray Ridge School to continue operations. Murray Ridge, which serves students through age 21, is not a required expense for the Board of Developmental Disabilities, and could be cut in the 2027-28 school year if the board fails to bring in revenue to offset rising costs for its continued services. The school has about 130 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, said Dann Swift, director of education. Murray Ridge serves students with severe disabilities who reside in Lorain County, Swift explained. Many of its students are medically fragile — some are wheelchair-bound, others have feeding tubes or epilepsy — and the school serves all of those needs. From medications given at certain times to physical and occupational therapy needs and communication devices, there are essential elements to school life at Murray Ridge, Swift said, all handled by in-house staff. Based on a student's individualized education plan, their home district and families may opt to send them to Murray Ridge to meet the standard of care the student requires. When a student attends Murray Ridge, the school does not charge the student's home district tuition like other schools for students with disabilities might. Murray Ridge receives state funds that follow each student regardless of where they are placed, with the amount of money per child dependent on the student's conditions and needs. Swift estimated Murray Ridge receives $10,000 to $15,000 or more per school-age student it serves, but those funds often do not cover all costs for educating and caring for each student. "These aren't just options or just niceties to have," Swift said of the therapies and devices students use daily. "These are things that students need and we're able to provide, on a basic level, everything these students need here at the school." He estimated the funding the school receives per child is about half of the costs needed for the school. The other portion comes from the general funds that flow into the Lorain County Board of Developmental Disabilities and its existing levies. The board brought in just over $38 million last year and spent about $45.7 million to provide services to more than 3,000 people with developmental disabilities, including the school's students. Superintendent Amber Fisher told The Chronicle-Telegram editorial board that the levy was the first time Murray Ridge sought additional funding from property owners in more than a decade. In an email, she stated the levy is integral for some of Lorain County's students with the most significant developmental disabilities, alongside medical issues and behavioral support needs. Beyond just Murray Ridge School, the Lorain County Board of Developmental Disabilities operates adult services and a day program and oversees Meister Road Home residential services. If the levy passes, it will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $30 per year, according to the Lorain County Auditor's Office. Contact Carissa Woytach at ctnews@chroniclet.com.