After the Nov. 5 election results were certified, the Napoleon Area City Schools emergency levy passed narrowly, with a margin of just 42 votes. The Henry County Board of Elections confirmed Tuesday that no recount is necessary, according to Director Mary Detmer. The final certified results showed 3,707 votes in favor (50.28%) and 3,666 votes against (49.72%), with provisional and absentee ballots tipping the scales in the levy’s favor.
The five-year, 4.7-mill levy will generate $2.35 million annually beginning in 2024, costing taxpayers $165 per $100,000 of appraised property value. The funds will provide critical financial support to the district, ensuring the continuation of educational programs and operations.
Meanwhile, in Perrysburg, the mood was somber at a Monday night school board meeting following voters’ rejection of an operating levy. The levy, which was defeated by 54% of voters, would have provided $13.5 million annually, amounting to 17% of the district’s operating budget. Without the funds, the district faces significant financial challenges.
Superintendent Tom Hosler told 13ABC News that the district will pull $7.5 million from reserves and cut $6 million in programs and staffing, resulting in 61 job losses.
According to Hosler, many programs, services, and extracurricular activities will be at risk. Some cuts will begin immediately as vacancies go unfilled, with further reductions impacting staff and student support programs.
Hosler attributed the levy’s failure to a broader trend, noting that 71 of 142 school levies across Ohio were rejected. The Perrysburg board now faces tough decisions about which programs to preserve and whether to propose another levy next year.
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