Issue 49: CMSD Collection Results

Voters handed Cleveland schools a victory, approving tax hikes at a time when district leaders said support was needed to avoid devastating cuts.

Issue 49 passed with a large margin, gaining 66% of the vote, with almost all polling stations reporting.

“Our members have worked very hard to talk to voters in Cleveland and make sure they understand why this is so important, and they have done a great job of doing so, as evidenced by today’s results,” Cleveland Teachers Union President Shari Obrenski. said.

“You know, it really feels good and it feels like all that hard work is worth it. Again, we could not do this without the support of Cleveland voters, and we will do everything we can to continue to retain their support.

Issue 49 It will raise about $49 million annually for CMSD, according to district finance director Kevin Stockdale. The tax hike would last 10 years and cost about $300 a year for a $100,000 home. Homeowners will start paying a new tax next year, but it will be based on current value of the housenot the county’s new property assessments, which will take effect in 2025.

Last time voters approved charge districtwide in 2020, with 61% of the vote.

“We have work to do,” says Cleveland schools CEO Warren Morgan.

Cleveland schools CEO Warren Morgan told Signal Cleveland Tuesday night that he is prepared for either voters to approve or reject Prop. 49 or for district officials to plan for both scenarios.

But the victory does not improve the district’s financial situation. “It’s not like, ‘Oh, this solved all our problems,'” Morgan said. “There’s work we need to do.”

Morgan said that to those who came out and voted yes on Question 49, he is grateful for their faith in the abilities of CMSD students.

“The Cleveland community says our kids come out and do what they need to do,” he said. “I am grateful to every Cleveland voter, even those who asked the hard questions. This is normal, they are doing exactly what they need to do. It shows a truly engaged community and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

CMSD will have to make difficult choices.

Even after receiving new funds from the collection, CMSD will have budget cuts on the horizon, according to Morgan. Stockdale submitted a financial report in October that showed the tax would leave the district with a budget shortfall of about $76 million in 2028.

“We have work to do as a district to look at our finances,” Morgan said at a Board of Education meeting last month. “We will look at our buildings, we will look at our program staffing patterns. This happens regardless of whether the tax passes or not.”

While the passage of Question 49 will not eliminate CMSD’s budget shortfall, it does give the district some time to plan for cuts. Morgan said he wants to hear from the community and minimize the impact of the cuts on students and teachers. Earlier this year, the district cut before- and after-school programs and administrative staff to cut costs.

Issue 49 also extends for 35 years an existing bond issue that residents have already paid for. The bond issue costs homeowners about $93 a year for a $100,000 home. The county uses the money to maintain, upgrade and construct buildings.

CMSD officials are working on an updated five-year financial plan. They will present it to the Board of Education. meeting on Wednesday, November 6th.