About the operating levy
for Shaker Schools
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Consequently, the district would need to make significant cuts to its day-to-day expenses or else face insufficient cash reserves as soon as fiscal year 2028 – ultimately running the risk of being unable to pay staff salaries and keep utilities running.
The 9.9 mill levy will cost the owner of a $100,000 property $29 a month.
It will generate $12.5 million per year for the district.
Most importantly, the levy on the ballot this fall will allow the district to maintain a sustainable budget and continue to offer our children the excellent educational experience the community has come to expect.
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While asking voters for their support, the district is also finding ways to make thoughtful reductions in the meantime. It has already reduced costs by $2.5 million, and will make an additional $1 million in reductions each year relative to the May 2025 five-year forecast for a total of $15 million by identifying efficiencies in purchasing and using strategic attrition to avoid layoffs through retirements, resignations, and unfilled vacancies.
ABOUT THE LEVY
The levy on the ballot this fall will be Shaker Schools’ first full operating request in more than a decade. It will fund the district’s day-to-day costs, such as staff salaries, classroom materials and programming, utilities, and transportation. Staff salaries account for 80 percent of day-to-day costs.
This fall’s levy will directly support the district’s
most valuable asset: its people.
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Ohio’s school funding system relies heavily on local property taxes. In Shaker, our district’s budget gets about 70% of its revenue from property taxes. Yet a bill passed in 1976 – House Bill 920 – freezes tax revenues from levies at the amount approved by voters, meaning school districts do not receive additional funds to account for rising inflation and property values. As a result, it's typical for school districts to ask voters to pass new operating levies every two to three years. In recent years, however, Shaker Schools, like many districts across the country, benefited from an influx of COVID relief funds and low inflation rates – staving off the necessity for new operating levies.
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Today, Shaker’s five-year financial forecast reveals a changing and less certain financial reality for the district – one made even more challenging as COVID relief funding ends and inflation continues to rise. Additionally, the political landscape has shifted dramatically. Many federal and state policymakers are openly hostile to funding public education, making once predictable funding sources significantly less so.
About the Committee
The Committee for Shaker Schools is a grassroots, citizen-based campaign organization whose mission is to promote the passage of levies and bond issues in support of the that works to help pass Shaker Heights City School District (SHCSD). levies and bond issues.
The committee is not affiliated with or connected to the school district. Ohio law prohibits the school district from officially promoting the levy campaign or influencing citizens’ votes in any way. The district’s levy communications are restricted entirely to fact-based information only.
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Ongoing Public School Support
As a permanent political organization, we are a unique voice for encouraging support for local levy funding of our Shaker Heights City School District. Our continued existence demonstrates the commitment of citizens who care about our public schools and are dedicated to providing information to Shaker Heights voters when considering ballot measures.
Funding
Committee for Shaker Schools receives its funding from private donors in the community who are concerned with the quality and success of Shaker Heights City Schools.
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Committee Co-Chairs
Caitlin Johnson (Mercer)
Erin Stockdale (Sussex)
Committee Members
Maggie Alexander (Mercer)
Jason Baker (Fernway)
Amy Brodsky (Onaway)
Lora Cover (Malvern)
Jasmine Daughtery (Ludlow)
Jeff Isaacs (Boulevard)
Leah Kirkpatrick (Mercer)
Joey Mallin (Onaway)
Richard D. Margolius (Boulevard)
Kevin Matthews (Mercer)
Celina McWilliams (Mercer)
Anita Miller (Lomond)
Roschelle Ogbuji (Mercer)
Doug Wang (Boulevard)