We’re Glad You Asked!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Levy:
Q. Why should I vote yes?
Solon and Glenwillow are known for their community spirit, quality of life and outstanding school system. These factors, particularly the excellent Solon Schools, have contributed to the growth of the community and the corresponding increase in property values. Voting yes ensures that the district has the necessary funding to continue the academic and extracurricular excellence our community demands and our children deserve.
Q. I heard this is an incremental levy. How does that work exactly?
Issue 8 is an incremental levy phased in over two years. The decision to create an incremental levy was made to minimize the effect on taxpayers as much as possible. The net impact to taxpayers would be 6.9 mills, the same as nearly all Solon Schools operating levies. The levy would be phased in over two years by first recapturing 1.6 mills of retired bond debt beginning in 2019 at no additional cost to homeowners and then adding 6.9 mills for collection beginning in 2020. The ballot language will be asking you to approve an 8.5 mill levy for the Solon Schools. It is imperative that you remember, the first 1.6 mills of that total is equal to the millage amount the Board of Education just authorized to come off the tax rolls. The first 1.6 mills would be added back on to the tax rolls in 2019 so taxpayers would see no net increase for the first year of the phased in levy.
Q. How much will this levy cost? What does it mean to me in real dollars?
Solon and Glenwillow homeowners would pay $241.50 for every $100,000 of home valuation, or $20 more per month.
To see the value of your home, go to: http://myplace.cuyahogacounty.us/
Q. How will the dollars be spent?
The levy will add needed operational dollars to the district. In keeping with the district’s fiscal philosophy, funding will be kept closest to student learning. New negotiated agreements are already in place for our teaching and non-teaching staff, so forecasting for staff costs will remain stable through at least 2021.
Q. What has the district done to rein in staff costs?
The new contracts increase and continue employee benefit reductions and restrictions, including higher premiums and copays, and elimination of primary spousal health insurance coverage. In fact, The average increase in the district’s overall salary and wages from fiscal year 2010 to fiscal year 2017 has been a negative: -.23%.
Q. I do not currently have students in the Solon Schools. Why should I vote yes?
Levy failures have a direct impact on home values. Districts that fail levies see a corresponding decline in house values. In some ways, you can’t afford not to pass this levy in order to protect your home values.
The excellent quality of the Solon Schools is the primary reason people choose to live here. Outstanding schools positively affect home values and quality of life in our community. Conversely, declining housing values and levy failures are inextricably tied together, If Solon starts failing levies, home values will plummet. Passing levings protects the investment you have made in your home.
Q. Do we really need to be #1 in student achievement? Wouldn’t top 20 be good enough?
Our Solon Schools Strategic Plan -- created with significant citizen input -- directs us to inspire personal excellence in our students and to ensure all students achieve at increasingly higher rates each year. Our #1 State of Ohio Report Card reflects that effort. Which students would we pick to perform at lower achievement levels just to save additional dollars?
Q. Aren’t Solon’s taxes already high?
Actually, Solon is still a value and our tax rates are comparatively low, still ranking in the bottom half of comparison districts in our area. Solon and Glenwillow residents have lower effective tax rates than our counterparts in Hudson, Aurora, Mayfield, Chagrin Falls and Shaker Heights, among others.
Q. Why a levy now? Can’t it wait?
While the Solon Schools were able to stretch the dollars from the last levy for eight years with prudent fiscal planning and decision making, a levy is needed now so the district is able to submit a balanced budget to the state as required by law. Simply put, schools are not permitted to operate at a deficit. On July 1, at the start of this fiscal year, the district experienced the “fiscal cliff” of lost state Tangible Personal Property Tax reimbursement funding. Despite relentless lobbying from heavily impacted school districts statewide led by the Solon Schools, lawmakers accelerated the phase out of this reimbursement funding. For Solon Schools, TPP funding made up 17% of the district’s operating revenues a decade ago. Within just a few more years, all TPP funding -- a total of 9 mills -- will be gone.
The Solon Schools will continue to enlist the support of residents to try to halt, slow or reverse the TPP funding phase out. However, this will be an uphill battle without a change in political will in Columbus. The fact remains that legislative inaction on a TPP solution has resulted in multi-million dollar losses for the district. The accelerated TPP phase out created the need for a levy at this time.
Q. Is the district managing costs? How do we compare to area districts?
As financial data reported on the most recent State of Ohio Report Card illustrate, Solon’s per-pupil costs compare favorably with area districts. Ten area districts have higher per-pupil costs than Solon, while none have higher student achievement. For example, at $12,799, Solon’s per-pupil cost is lower than Orange ($20,464), Beachwood ($17,891), Shaker Heights ($15,443), South Euclid ($14,183) and Independence ($13,492).
Q. Doesn’t the state fund education?
Ohio’s school funding system provides dollars for a “basic education” to schools that have a low tax base. Solon is considered a “high property wealth” district and therefore receives very limited funding from the education formula. In fact, this year, the district receives only $636 per student, or just 4.13% of district funding.
Q. What if I can’t afford this levy?
We understand if your financial situation precludes you from supporting this levy. The district, however, is not immune from the same expense pressures that Solon and Glenwillow residents face. The district is doing all it can to minimize expenditure increases.
Q. Why doesn’t Solon or Glenwillow city government need to ask for levies as schools do?
First, city government receives most of its revenue from income taxes, while the schools receive their revenue from property taxes. So as each resident’s income increases, the amount the city receives increases as well. The city also receives income tax from non-residents who work in Solon. Conversely, state law (H.B. 920) prohibits school districts from collecting more money from a levy than the exact dollar amount that is approved on election day. This inflation cap prevents revenues to schools from increasing over time as property values rise.
Q. Are residents of Glenwillow affected by the levy too?
Yes. The Solon Schools include both the city of Solon and the village of Glenwillow. Residents of both communities would pay the same exact same amount from this levy based on their home value. Glenwillow and Solon residents all vote for the levy on May 8.
Q. What about residents who live in apartments or other rental properties? Do they pay toward the levy as well?
Anyone living in a rental property does not pay a property tax bill directly but the person who actually owns the property does. Individuals living in apartments or rented condos and homes pay the property tax indirectly through their rent payments.
Q. I’m still upset the legislature didn’t enact a TPP fix. Won’t voting no send a message to lawmakers?
Unfortunately, it is the Solon Schools and our children who would suffer if the levy fails. Columbus lawmakers would not take notice at all. But the district will not give up the fight to retain the remaining TPP funding at any level. Even after the levy passes, the district administrators, Board of Education members and involved citizens who have been fighting for the TPP funding for nearly 15 years (and staved off losses along the way) will continue lobbying legislators to enact a TPP solution. The one-on-one meetings with lawmakers and candidates, testimony before the Ohio General Assembly, letter writing, phone calling and other grassroots lobbying will all continue.
Q. How does the investment community rate the district’s financial management?
The Solon Schools have excellent ratings from both Fitch Inc. Rating Services of New York and Moody’s. These ratings are an economic endorsement from the investment community, which reflects the solid and proactive management practices of the district. Strong voter and community support for past school levies are a key factor in the issuing of these ratings. In turn, the ratings mean financial savings for the district because the Solon Schools are able to secure any debt obligations at lower rates, saving interest costs and allowing for repayment more quickly.
Q. I’ve heard something changes in voting locations. Does that impact me?
In an effort to save money, the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections is consolidating some of our Solon voting locations. You will receive a notice from the Board of Elections in the mail with your poll location, but to be sure you know where to vote on May 8, click on the VOTING button above and go to the Board of Elections website to confirm where you vote.
Or, if you prefer, vote early by mail! Early voting lets you vote from the comfort of your own home and avoid any potential lines on election day. Early voting begins on April 10. Click on the VOTING button above to request your early voting ballot.
Q. How can I get a yard sign for the levy to show my support?
Yard signs will be delivered to you and placed in your yard in accordance with all city ordinances. To get one, click on the GET INVOLVED button at the top of this page and fill out the form. Or, email us at solonvotes@gmail.com and give us your name and address. Thank you for your support!