Photo Provided The Union Local Board of Education is placing a 2-mill permanent improvement levy on the ballot in November to fund projects at the schools, including fixing the roofs after leaks damaged ceilings.

BELMONT — A new levy will be on the ballot in November for the Union Local School District as officials aim to improve campus infrastructure and fund projects.

The Union Local Board of Education voted 5-0 in favor of a resolution Thursday to place a 2-mill permanent improvement levy on the Nov. 5 ballot.

This levy would fund projects at the schools and help keep the facilities maintained by generating about $890,000 per year.

Superintendent Zac Shutler said board members have been in the process of finding new ways to bring in money to help upgrade and maintain the high school and elementary buildings that opened in the late 1990s.

The middle school was renovated at that time, but it was the original Union Local High School when the district was formed in 1959 through consolidation of schools in several nearby communities.

Shutler said maintaining the facilities has been a challenge.

“The school board, myself as superintendent, we’re all incredibly respectful of our community and greatly appreciate the support they’ve offered to us,” Shutler said. “And we understand that bond issues and levies are challenging because it’s money out of their pocket. It’s supported by local taxpayers and property owners. So we’ve tried to be very cognizant of the ask and the reach, but we also know that the district hasn’t collected any new money (except for construction) since 1991.”

In the coming year, Union Local will only be 18.2% state supported, he said.

In 2023, Union Local sought a $62 million bond that would have rectified all of the facility and infrastructure issues in the district, but Shutler said he knew that was a big reach. It was voted down soundly, but the board respected the voters and took feedback from the community by sending out surveys.

In November 2024, the district lowered the bond amount sought from $62 million to $37 million, but the community also voted no on that.

“We’ve heard the taxpayers loud and clear. We’re very empathetic and understanding with their situation and what they’re telling us,” Shutler said. “That doesn’t change the fact that there are infrastructure issues in the district.”

Shutler said all of the buildings need new roofs, each of which costs roughly $1.5 million based on last year’s estimates. Other needs include heating, ventilation and air conditioning as well as plumbing at each building and asphalt and sidewalk repairs that need to take place.

Shutler emphasized that these are legitimate and real issues and said Union Local does not have enough money in its general fund to take care of them and improve the environment for students. He added that Union Local is operating on a very tight budget with only a $1 million carryover. The district reduced its budget by more than $800,000 this year through attrition, retirements and not replacing staff.

“We’ve been very aware of trying to spend the taxpayer dollars wisely,” Shutler said. “So as a board and as superintendent, we tried to look at other ways the community could find to be more affordable. So we moved on from the bond and we looked at a permanent improvement levy, which would allow us to complete projects in phases.”

The difference between a bond and a levy is that through a bond, the district gets all of the money up front and can get all of the projects done at once. The district would then pay back the bond, similar to a loan. Levies generate revenue yearly, so the district could leverage that money to take out low-interest loans or can just use the permanent improvement money to fund small projects.

A permanent improvement levy can only be used for infrastructure, facilities and permanent improvements. It cannot go to salaries or staff.

The average home price in the Union Local district is roughly $151,000, so this 2-mill PI levy would cost the average homeowner about $8.88 a month.

The district will propose this levy as a continuing levy, meaning it would not expire. This would allow the district to keep the facilities updated and in good condition for a long time without having to go back to the taxpayers asking for an increased amount. The rate would be locked in.

“I know that taxpayers are frustrated right now. I know there’s issues with the economy. I understand all that, but that impacts our funding right now,” Shutler said. “It is flat, and it’s not about staffing or salaries. Right now, we’ve tried to address those issues internally with budget cuts. This is more about the big infrastructure projects.”

Shutler said the board knows the community takes great pride in their school, and they don’t want their students to be in buildings that are continually leaking with sidewalks that are deteriorating and environments that are too hot or too cold.

Union Local has not had any levies or bonds passed in recent years; 2 mills is the minimum amount the district can ask for that would create changes to the infrastructure of the facilities.

Shutler stressed that he knows it’s a big ask from the community, but he doesn’t think the board is overreaching.

“We respect and we support and we love our community. We thank them for all their support. And we’re asking for help, not for increased salaries,” Shutler said. “We’re not asking for help to hire more staff. We are only asking for help to maintain the building. … It’s about having a building and an environment that is conducive to learning.”