Perrysburg school levy narrowly passes

11/6/2012

By a 51-49 percent margin Tuesday, voters in the Perrysburg Exempted Village School District approved a large, incremental levy and staved off more than $6 million in cuts to staff, programming, and operations.

"We certainly appreciate the support of the community," said Superintendent Thomas Hosler at a results watch party organized by levy supporters at the J. Patrick's pub in the Holiday Inn French Quarter.

RELATED: Hosler's thank-you letter to the community

The levy for an estimated 13.15 mills will generate $10 million in the first year. The tax will increase to an estimated 14.4 mills in the second year, 15.7 mills in the third year, and 17 mills in the fourth and final year.

The owner of a home valued at $200,000 will pay about $813 the first year, then about $72 more a year the next three years.

The current 9.95-mill levy will expire at the end of 2012.

Joe Sarnes, a technology integration specialist for the district, said his position would have been eliminated had the levy failed and that he likely would have found himself back in the classroom as an elementary school teacher.

But, he said, the levy was not about saving jobs and salaries.

"We're just trying to teach kids. We're just trying to make a difference for them," he said.