Pioneer News
Keeping Elyria's parents, staff and students in the know.
Dear Families,
Greetings and Happy Valentine's Day!
The district is abuzz as we delve into the second semester, approaching the ever-so-busy season of Spring. From concerts and sports and field days to field trips to heartwarming graduations -- all the way up from preschool to high school -- the excitement is palpable.
Our schools are at the core of the community, with the new school project wrapping up and a strategic plan in play to elevate student experiences and achievement. Our journey is exciting.
We operate each day with a firm financial base and a focus on maintaining programs and services that we know are best for our students. On March 19, we have renewal levies on the ballot to maintain operating funds without requesting additional taxes. Our strong partnerships and dedicated staff ensure a comprehensive education for every Pioneer.
This newsletter is packed with exciting updates on current activities and upcoming events (and, be sure to follow the link above to info on our upcoming enrollment fair), along with financial details regarding our renewal matters on March 19. We appreciate you taking the time to read this edition of Pioneer News!
Ann Schloss
Superintendent
Internet Safety and Children
Elyria High School hosted a session last month by the Ohio Task Force for Internet Crimes Against Children (Facebook link) about online safety. The program was recorded and can be found on PioneerTV YouTube.
Our team on Petey Podcast had the pleasure of interviewing Elyria High School's Associate Principal, Patrick Griffis, on this event and he shared some of the essential takeaways from this informative session. Take a listen!
Warm and toasty--Free coats!
Just when you thought spring was here, surprise! Winter is planning a comeback. But thanks to the kindness of our community, businesses and ministerial partners, we're able to provide students of Elyria Schools with warm coats. If your student is in need of a coat, swing by the Elyria Schools Administration Building on Adelbert St. for a coat pick-up event on Feb. 20th from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. An array of coats in various sizes and colors (specific ones not guaranteed, and quantities are limited) are available.
So, save the date, and join us on the 20th if your student is in need of coat. We look forward to seeing you!
Spring Craft and Vendor Jamboree
Where do food, art, music, crafts, and an egg hunt collide in one spectacular event? The answer: the Special Olympics Craft and Vendor Fair, of course! This longstanding fair is back for its eighth year, aiming to support the Elyria Special Olympics. Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 2nd at Elyria High School, where the fun kicks off at 10 a.m. and wraps up at 3 p.m. Get ready to explore a wonderland of vendors offering all sorts of treasures. Kids can join the Easter Egg Hunt - the hunt kicks off with the little ones aged 3 and under at 10:30 a.m., followed by the 4-6-year-olds at 11:30 a.m., and wrapping up with the 7-10 year olds at 12:30. And that's not all - face painting, a special visit from the Easter Bunny, and live performances by Singer/Songwriter Mike Brand and the Elyria High School Orchestra Fiddlers will keep the fun going strong! Donations will be gratefully accepted at the entrance. Looking forward to a great event and to seeing you there!
Finance matters
The Primary Election, scheduled for March 19, 2024, will feature two school issues for consideration by registered voters in the Elyria City School District. These are both renewal levies that will continue to provide funding for district operations--they are not new taxes. The ECS Board of Education unanimously approved placing both issues on the ballot, on Nov. 15, 2023. Voter registration closes on Feb. 20, and early voting begins Feb. 21. If you have questions about Issues 21 and 22, continue reading.
Q: What is on the ballot for the Elyria Schools?
A: Issues 21 and 22 will be on the ballot March 19, 2024--they are renewal levies that will not increase taxes if approved by voters. They fund 20 percent of the district’s operations budget. Issue 21 is a renewal of a 4.95-mill current expense levy, last renewed by voters in 2018. Issue 22 is a 12.85-mill renewal of an emergency levy that voters most recently renewed in 2014.
These funds help the district continue paying for staff, programs, classroom technology and tools, and services to meet the daily education needs of nearly 6,300 Elyria students— preschool through high school.
Q. How much will these issues cost property owners?
A. Issues 21 and 22 are renewal levies, not new taxes. For Issue 21, property owners will pay $120 per $100,000 valuation by the Lorain County auditor. Issue 22 will pay $450 per $100,000 valuation by the Lorain County auditor. Again, both issues are renewals.
Q. How long will the levies last if voters renew them?
A. If renewed, Issue 21 would help fund the district’s operating budget for a continuing period of time. Issue 22 would support the schools for 10 years.
Q. Why are there two issues on the ballot?
A. There are two renewals on the ballot because each levy—though initially approved by voters at different times based on different funding requests—are now expiring. Issue 21 would renew a levy that has been within the district’s operating budget for 25 years, and Issue 22 would renew a separate emergency levy that voters approved 10 years ago.
Q. What is the difference between the two levies?
A. While both issues are renewal levies--not new taxes--Issue 21 renews a current expense levy that voters originally approved in 1999. It has been renewed by voters in five-year increments since then, with the most recent renewal taking place in 2018. Issue 22 was last approved in 2014 as a renewal of two then-existing emergency levies – one that was approved in 2009 and another that voters approved in 2010. Together, the levies fund nearly one-quarter of the district’s operations budget.
Q. How have Elyria City Schools managed taxpayer dollars in the past?
A. The district prides itself on its fiscal responsibility, which has been recognized by 20 consecutive clean audit awards from the Auditor of State. ECS has also earned the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association every year since 1998. The district has not requested new money from voters since 2010, which is uncommon for Ohio school districts. Neither Issue 21 or Issue 22 asks for new money; both are renewals.
Q. What happens if these issues don’t pass?
A. Because the levies represent 20 percent of the district's operating budget, failure of these levies would impact the district’s ability to provide the same level of education that it currently does for nearly 6,300 students.
Q. How and where can I vote?
A. The Ohio Secretary of State’s website offers the ability for users to check their registration status or to register online.
Once a voter is registered, they can vote early between Feb. 21 and March 18, either in person or by mail. Early, in-person voting takes place at the Lorain County Board of Elections, 1985 N. Ridge Road, in Lorain. The Board of Elections website provides details on early voting hours, voting locations, absentee ballot request forms to vote by mail, as well as issue text and sample ballots.
This information is also available on our website.
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Podcast Earns Top Honor
The Elyria City School District Office of Communications earned an Award of Excellence for Petey Podcast in the 2023 Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards contest through the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA).
The Communications team also earned awards in the areas of branding and marketing, and in video production.
Find all of our content in one easy place right here, and on our website, and find Petey Podcast anywhere you go for podcast media!
Elyria City School District
Email: ask@elyriaschools.org
Website: www.elyriaschools.org
Location: 42101 Griswold Road, Elyria, OH, USA
Phone: 440-284-8000
Facebook: facebook.com/elyriacityschools
Twitter: @twitter_elyriaschools