07-05-2025
Portage County election results: Voters weigh in on school levies
Voters considered school levy requests May 6 in several communities, including Ravenna, Streetsboro and Mogadore.
The Ravenna, Streetsboro and Mogadore school districts have new money issues on the primary ballot. Aurora City Schools is seeking the renewal of a levy, along with Springfield Local Schools in Summit County, which has some voters in Portage County.
The Ravenna school district was seeking passage of Issue 12 − a 5.47-mill, 5-year property tax that would generate $2.75 million annually. In the second round of vote counts, the levy was barely passing, with 1,146 votes in favor and 1,105 against. It would cost homeowners $192 per year per $100,000 in property valuation.
Streetsboro City Schools was seeking passage of Issue 13 − a 5.0-mill continuing property tax that would generate $3.885 million annually. After a second round of ballot returns, there were 119 votes for the levy and 259 against. It would cost homeowners $175 per year per $100,000 in property valuation.
Mogadore Local School District, which has residents in Portage and Summit counties, was asking voters to approve Issue 14 − a 5.93-mill, 6-year property tax it says will help avoid an operating deficit. The issue, known as Issue 15 in Summit County, was leading after a second round of returns, with 592 ballots in favor and 345 against. The levy would cost homeowners $208 per year per $100,000 in property valuation.
The Ravenna and Mogadore districts are under the Ohio State Auditor's Office's fiscal caution designation, and have warned voters about increased state oversight if they do not approve a levy in the May 6 primary. It is the fourth trip to the ballot for Mogadore, and the fifth for Ravenna.
Aurora City Schools sought approval of Issue 11, the renewal of a 5.61-mill levy for current expenses. It's the first time the district has sought renewal of this levy. The renewal was passing after a second round of returns, with 207 votes in favor and 105 against. Aurora voters rejected a bond issue in November.
Springfield Local School District was seeking renewal of two levies that voters rejected in November. Issue 15 in Portage County (Issue 16 in Summit), a 2.74-mill levy, was ahead after a second round of vote counts, with 1,389 votes in favor and 639 against. The same levy failed in November after a tie was recorded on Election Day. State law requires an affirmative vote for passage.
Springfield's Issue 16 in Portage County (Issue 17 in Summit County,) a 7-mill levy, also was leading after a second round of returns, with 1,386 votes in favor and 669 against. The same issue failed in November after a recount. Voters approved a third renewal levy in November. Springfield is under fiscal watch.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Ohio election results: Portage County weigh in on school levies
