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BELOIT -- The West Branch Local School District will be hosting a series of informational town hall meetings on a proposed permanent improvement levy ahead of the upcoming General Election.
According to a press release, West Branch will host five town hall meetings beginning at the conclusion of September and continuing throughout the month of October to present residents with information about a proposed five-year, 1-mill permanent improvement levy that the board of education voted to place on the ballot in November. The meetings are scheduled to be held at 6 p.m. on Sept. 30 in the Early Learning Center Cafeteria; 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 3 at the high school library; 5 p.m. on Oct. 8 in the high school library; 6 p.m. on Oct. 15 in the middle school cafeteria; and 4 p.m. on Oct. 21 in the Knox School Building library.
The meetings will be led by Superintendent Matthew Manley, who will present attendees with "an overview of the proposed 1-mill [permanent improvement] levy," and answer any question they may have to provide "residents an opportunity to learn more about how the levy would support the district's long-term facility and maintenance needs."
District officials have argued that a permanent improvement levy would provide the district with funding needed for long-term maintenance and facility improvement projects "including roofs, buses, HVAC systems, safety upgrades and other facility needs." The release also asserts that having a dedicated source of funding for those improvements "would also help protect classroom operating dollars by providing a separate source of funding for these maintenance needs."
The proposed levy has a five-year collection period beginning in tax year 2026 and continuing through tax year 2030, and if approved by voters in November would first be collected in calendar year 2027. If approved, it is estimated that the levy would generate approximately $441,471 for the district annually. The cost of the levy to taxpayers would be $35 for each $100,000 of assessed property valuation, meaning the owner of a home valued at $200,000 would pay twice that amount.
"More than 20 years ago, our community made an important investment in the future of West Branch Local Schools, and we have a responsibility to protect that investment," Manley said. "These town halls are an opportunity for us to share information about the proposed PI levy, explain how the funds would be used and, most importantly, listen to our community and answer their questions."
According to the release, anyone unable to attend one of the meetings can access information about the levy on the district's website at www.westbranch.k12.oh.us.