This story has been updated to correct inaccurate information.
Here’s a look at how Summit County-based school districts and neighboring districts that dip into the county fared at the ballot box May 6, based on final, unofficial results released by the Summit County Board of Elections:
Springfield Local Schools levies pass decisively
By more than two-thirds of votes on each issue, the Springfield Local School District easily passed two emergency levies. Issue 16 renews for five years a 2.74-mill tax to collect $84 for each $100,00 of property valuation. Issue 17 renews a 7-mill tax to collect $113 for each $100,000 of valuation.
Shelley Monachino, the superintendent of the Springfield Local Schools, said the district was “incredibly grateful to our community for their support in passing both renewal levies.”
“With the passage of these levies we will be able to maintain current levels of staffing, academic offerings, student services and extracurricular opportunities,” Monachino said. “The passage of these levies will help us plan for the future and continue our work to support every learner, every day.”
In the November 2024 election, the Springfield Local Schools had three renewal levies on the ballot; only one of them was approved by voters this past fall.
Twinsburg City Schools voters soundly reject bond issue
Nearly two-thirds of voters in the Twinsburg City School District cast votes against Issue 11, a bond issue asking for 3.84 mills ($135 annually for each $100,000 of appraised property value for 36 years).
Nordonia Hills Schools levy appears to barely squeak by
Issue 10 in the Nordonia Hills City School District in northern Summit County asked for 5 mills ($175 annually for each $100,000 of appraised property value for five years). According to unofficial final results from the Summit County Board of Elections, the measure narrowly passed with 4,665 votes for it and 4,585 against it. If uncounted absentee ballots mailed by the May 5 postmark deadline were to significantly diminish the current 80-vote difference and the margin falls below one half of 1% of votes cast on the issue, the race would head to a recount.
This was the district’s third attempt at passing a levy for additional funding.
“Yesterday’s levy was decided by just 80 votes,” said Casey Wright, Nordonia Hills schools superintendent. “That number alone shows how much every voice counts—and how deeply our community is invested in its schools. Your support allows us to avoid further cuts and continue offering the academic programs, services, and extracurricular opportunities that make a difference in our students’ lives. We don’t take that lightly. We understand that this support comes with responsibility, and we remain fully committed to using every dollar wisely and transparently.”
The Nordonia Hills City Schools recently decided t cut 45 staff members, effective in the 2025-06 school year. This is more than the expected 39½ tentatively proposed cut earlier this year.
Most of these cuts, which were approved by the Nordonia Hills City school board April 22, came through a voluntary buyout program, which 30 staff members participated in, Wright said. The other 15 were laid off.
“These reductions will result in meaningful savings and a more sustainable staffing structure,” Wright stated in a message to district families. “In some cases, particularly for classified roles that support students with special needs, we expect to recall staff to meet legal and instructional requirements outlined in Individualized Education Programs.”
The school board approved the reduction of 12 non-certified positions at its April 22 meeting, Wright said. In addition three certified teaching positions were eliminated at an earlier meeting.
Manchester Local Schools can celebrate double win
Like Springfield, the Manchester Local School District had two issues on the ballot — and both gained the support of nearly two-thirds of voters. Issue 13 will collect 0.81 mills ($25 annually for each $100,000 of appraised property value for five years) and Issue 14 will collect 8.5 mills ($152 annually for each $100,000 of appraised value for five years).
Mogadore puts a levy victory on the books
Voters in the Mogadore Local district, which straddles the Summit-Portage line, gave the village’s school system a vote of confidence with nearly two-thirds favoring Issue 15, which will collect 5.93 mills ($208 annually for each $100,000 of appraised value for six years).
“The Mogadore Local School District is deeply grateful for the overwhelming support shown by our community in passing the emergency levy,” said John Knapp, the Mogadore schools superintendent. “Passage of the emergency levy supports the opportunity to work towards exiting state fiscal oversight. The district will continue to carefully manage resources, look for efficiencies/savings, and align/refine business practices as recommended by the Auditor of State.”
Voters in the fall 2024 general election defeated a 5.9-mill levy that would have collected $743,000 a year for five years.
Voters pass Aurora levy; Highland measure fails
A tiny portion of Summit County voters live in the Portage County-based Aurora City School District, which saw its Issue 9 pass by two-thirds of the vote total.
The Medina County-based Highland Local School District, which wanders into parts of western Summit County, saw its ballot hopes dashed — with about 57% of voters going against Issue 12.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Summit County school levies soar to wins in Springfield, Manchester, Mogadore
Reporting by April Helms, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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