Explaining ballot language ahead of election

To the editor:

As Election Day on November 7th, 2023 nears, the Salem City Schools Administration would like to clarify important details about the upcoming levy that voters will find on their ballots.

This year’s levy for Salem City School District’s bond to build a pre-K through 8th grade school comprises two critical parts. Voters will note Section 1, addressing the construction costs, will be shown as $104 per year for each $100,000 of property value. Section 2, designated for the built-in operating costs of the school, will be listed at $18 per year per $100,000 of property value.

However, this ballot language, as mandated by official bond issue requirements, does not reflect the $10 million donation from the Salem Community Foundation, as this contribution is dependent on the successful passage of the levy.

The district wants to ensure voters understand that the taxpayer cost will actually be approximately $96 per year per $100,000 of property value and actually decrease over time, rather than the $122 appearing on the ballot. Due to this pledged donation, the actual amount to be raised through the levy is $12.5 million instead of the $22.5 million indicated on the ballot.

The Salem City Schools Administration encourages all voters to be informed and understand that the figures on the ballot reflect legal language and the significant savings that will be realized with the Salem Community Foundation’s support.

A detailed breakdown of the levy, along with frequently asked questions, can be found on www.voteforsalem.com.

Salem City Schools

Administration

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­­To the editor:

Since we are merely days away from voting on the levy, I think it’s pivotal that everyone firmly grasps the reality that we’re dealing with before they vote. We don’t need to get bogged down in every little detail, just to be open about reality. This is a watershed moment in Salem history in my opinion. The decision that we make here will impact which direction the city as a whole takes into the future. I’m of the opinion that if the levy fails, the city will go into a steep decline. Many with the means to do so will leave. That will likely even include businesses who are left with little choice because they exist in a community without the labor to support them, and there will be no one filling in what they vacate only to face the same problem. The speed with which this could erode the city cannot be understated in my estimation.

An enormously significant thing to understand about this is that it’s not an idea that was born out of the simple desire to do something just for the sake of doing it. We have needed new construction for some time, and leaders in the school system have recognized that. They have hung on as long as possible so that we could climb as far up the state’s funding list as possible. That has resulted in an incredible offer of 67% of the cost from the state. That offer WILL NOT come again.

The reality that I referenced earlier is that SOMETHING must be done. Many have expressed a desire for renovations to the existing buildings. The reality is that we must either build new or go through extensive and costly renovations. Everyone must understand that doing nothing is absolutely not an option. Reilly specifically is literally failing. Since doing nothing is not an option, we must understand and consider the options in front of us.

I am not unsympathetic to the concerns of increased taxes. I don’t think most people WANT to pay more taxes. I certainly do not. I am very much a fiscal conservative, I do not relish increased tax bills. Not all taxes are equal however, this sort of tax will have a real tangible, visible impact on our lives directly. Unlike the money we send to Columbus or even worse, DC, where it’s often squandered and our legislators beg for pennies back for pet projects in their districts, you will see the direct impact of this tax right in your community. All of that said, the options in front of us are as follows:

Option A: Pass the levy. We will build a new K-8 school, it will cost the average household in the city less than a large pizza per month. Together we will be asked to contribute less than $10 million. We will get the 67% benefit from the state. We will get the extremely generous gift of $10 million from the Community Foundation. Both of these things, especially the latter, are unicorn level rare for any community. We’re blessed with the opportunity to secure both at the same time.

Option B: Face another levy for improvements. This will come with no money from the state. No guarantee from the Community Foundation. Even if we conservatively estimate that the cost of these projects to be $30 million (the state’s assessment believes our cost to be significantly more than that), then together we will be asked to contribute $30 million. Even if the Community Foundation extends their incredible offer, it would still be AT LEAST twice the amount that passing this levy will cost. The only certainty about it is that it will be more expensive for the taxpayer than Option A.

What if Option A fails and then a more expensive levy in Option B comes before us and also fails? What do we do then? Again, it cannot be overstated that doing nothing is NOT an option. The realities that we face are two-fold. One is that our facilities are not good enough, are actively failing and something must be done. The other is that this levy that we will face on Tuesday is without a doubt and by any imaginable measure, the best deal that we the taxpayer will get. In my opinion, the other benefits are just icing on the cake–this is the real heart of the issue. And to those who say you can’t afford it, as I stated I am not unsympathetic to that problem, but how can you afford a more expensive levy? If you can’t, will you be able to afford the very real and significant decline of your city? With the rising costs of everything else, I understand the financial burden part of this and its unfortunate timing. But our leaders at Salem City Schools have done a fantastic job over many decades of squeezing all of the juice out of these buildings, keeping them running while most around us have just knocked down and rebuilt, and patiently waiting until they could come to the taxpayer with THE best possible offer. That time just happens to be now. It’s an offer we cannot and must not refuse. Vote yes on Tuesday.

Grant Mingus,

Salem

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To the editor:

I have read many letters-to-the-editor regarding the upcoming Levy of the Salem City Schools. I would like to add my voice to those writing in support of its passage.

As a proud graduate in the SHS Class of 1966, I owe much to Salem Schools. The education I received prepared me well. Both of our children also graduated from SHS and matriculated successfully to higher education. Most important, I met my future wife in the junior English class we shared: She knew everything; I didn’t.

Later, as an educator, I was fortunate to be an administrator, coach, and Board Member for Salem City Schools. In those roles, I was able to gain much appreciation for the many staff-members who have made our school district special. I’ll focus on but one: Superintendent Sean Kirkland.

Sean was a student at SHS when I was assistant principal there. He also played quarterback for our football team. Sean was an effective leader–indeed, he guided our Quakers to a 17-7 upset victory in the 1985 game with our rival West Branch.

I trusted Sean Kirkland then and now. He cares about our school district and has worked hard to lead it. Sean’s efforts to pass this Levy for our students have been exemplary.

Education is a competitive enterprise today. Districts are compared on many criteria–including their facilities. Several neighboring districts have built new schools. Salem must also if it is to remain desirable.

I plan to support Salem students, our school district–and Superintendent Sean Kirkland by voting “Yes” for the Levy.

I hope you will, too. Love those Quakers!

Joe Rottenborn,

SHS Class of 1966

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­­To the editor:

The Board of Directors of the Sustainable Opportunity Development Center urges voters to vote YES on the Salem School Levy. The SOD Center focuses on economic development for the City of Salem. SOD fields multiple site requests annually for businesses seeking to move to the area. The strength of the local school system has become a more significant factor in site selection over the past five years. It is a factor that can contribute to a company’s decision to invest in the city, bring good paying jobs and expand the tax base. Salem is competitive in this arena having been named a top 100 micropolitan by Site Selection Magazine. New schools would further enhance Salem’s attractiveness to outside businesses and bring more investment into the city.

Salem can continue to operate its existing school infrastructure and renovate. The costs to renovate Reilly ($17.2 million), Buckeye ($14.1 million) and Southeast ($12.4 million) would aggregate $43.7 million. Salem residents would be required to fund all $43.7 million of the renovation costs.

Or, Salem can vote for the School Levy and construction of a new K-8 school building. The cost to build is $60.4 million, higher than the cost to renovate the schools. However, the State of Ohio will fund $37.9 million of the project cost. The Salem Community Foundation has committed an additional $10 million. In total, Salem residents would be required to fund just $12.5 million of the total cost. This is less than 30% of the cost to renovate those schools.   

The estimated cost per $100,000 in property value is just $96 per year for the first ten years. That drops to $77 per year in years 11-37. Compare that to Poland, OH which is pursuing its own levy for new schools (to replace schools that are not as old as Salem’s). The average cost per $100,000 of property value for Poland residents is $441 per year. Salem has a unique opportunity this November to further invest in its students, teachers and its community. Please vote YES for the Salem School Levy.

Joe Hovorka

Vice President, Sustainable

Opportunity Development Center

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­­To the editor:

Citizens of Salem,

I advised there are two parts on the ballot for the Salem School Levy:

The second part I left off by mistake and is below:

2. Additional property tax to provide funds for the acquisition, construction, enlargement,renovation, and financing of permanent improvements at $18 for each $100,000 of County Auditor’s appraised value. This will generate $295,000 per year.

Again, please check the County Auditors website and put your parcel number in. This will bring up your property and then click on the levy box that is listed at the top. You will then see what you will be paying for this levy.

I just want everyone to be fully aware of what their property taxes will be if this levy passes.

Lucille Zamarelli Karnofel,

Proud Salem Alumni