Latest news with #schoollevy
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ward 2 has a new representative on the Columbia City Council
Vera Elwood will step in and represent Ward 2 after being elected to the position by ward voters Aug. 5. Elwood had 1,480 votes, while opponent Ken Rice had 1,130 votes in unofficial results posted on the Boone County Clerk's web page. She will complete the roughly two-year remainder of the term following the resignation of Lisa Meyer due to health reasons. There also were ballot questions on a countywide debt levy tax freeze for seniors and tax levy increase question for the Hartsburg R-8 school district. Boone County voters approved the Proposition 1 tax freeze in a 12,233 Yes to 3,506 No vote. The school district will not increase its levy following the vote of 216 for Yes and 275 for No. "I have been blown away by the support that I have received from the community. I have absolutely loved talking with my neighbors, knocking on doors and having conversations about the issues that matter to them," Elwood said about her campaign. Ward 2 is a deeply caring part of the community Elwood continued. "We care about our neighbors, we care about the people living across the street from us and across the ward from us, we care about issues at the city level like worker pay wages, we care about infrastructure and city policies and we are going to continue to care and fight for all Columbians," she said. With her election, it does mean she no longer will chair the Columbia Disabilities Commission or serve on the Commission on Cultural Affairs. Had she not won, she said she would have continued on these city council advisory boards. Rice said his campaign resonated with people across the political spectrum of Columbia. He plans to continue to be active in local affairs, either speaking at Columbia Public Schools board meetings about financial transparency, or finding a role on city council advisory committees like the Office of Violence Prevention Advisory Committee or the Finance Advisory and Audit Committee. More: 3 weeks left until Columbia Ward 2 special election. Who's funding candidates? OVP committee membership includes Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson, Columbia Deputy Chief of Police Matthew Stephens, University of Missouri Police Lt. Rodney Stewart, leaders and instructors with In2Action and the Reentry Opportunity Center, professional therapists, a leader within Boone County Probation and Parole, Boone County Community Services leader Joanne Nelson, Job Point Youth Build Director Jerrell Morton, Columbia business owner and former mayoral candidate Randy Minchew, former Missouri House Representative Chuck Basye, Missouri NAACP state conference leader Pamela Hardin and other community members and leaders who work within violence prevention spaces. The finance committee has three members whose terms end at the end of the year. This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Vera Elwood elected to Columbia City Council for Ward 2 Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Live Ohio election results: Which Greater Cincinnati school levies passed, failed
The futures of several school districts will be determined as votes are counted in the May 6 primary. Seven school districts in the Greater Cincinnati area placed levies on voters' ballots. For some of the districts, the money from the levies will go to teacher salaries, fund new buildings or even ensure that school buildings stay open. For live coverage of the school levy results, follow this story. Edgewood City School District − TBD Where: Butler County Margins: To be determined. What's at stake: The district proposed a 4.45 mills tax levy to help address its $2.9 million operating deficit. If it passes, it will generate $3 million annually over 5 years. Madison Local School District − TBD Where: Butler County Margins: To be determined. What's at stake: Funds generated by the levy would be used to avoid a deficit. Princeton City School District − TBD Where: Hamilton County, Butler County and Warren County Margins: To be determined. What's at stake: Princeton City School District faces potential school closures and staff cuts if the levy fails. The November levy's failure resulted in spending cuts including but not limited to a hiring freeze, reduction in bus transportation and the end to field trips unless they are 100% funded by grants. If the district sees another levy failures, this may lead to additional reductions in staffing, transportation and potentially the closure of two elementary schools. The levy funds is for: Maintaining reasonable class sizes. Keeping academic and elective programs available for students. Supporting student services, including counseling and mental health resources. Preserving extracurricular activities and athletics. Ensuring safe and well-maintained school buildings. Mt. Healthy City School District − TBD Where: Hamilton County Margins: To be determined. What's at stake: Voters rejected Mt. Healthy City School's levy last November, the same year the district was placed on fiscal emergency by the state. The district currently faces budget shortfalls, which have led to cuts in programs, increased class sizes and reduced services. The money would fund: Teacher and staff salaries. Classroom supplies. Student support services, such as counseling and special education. Facility maintenance and technology upgrades. Transportation and other operational needs. Clinton-Massie Local School District − TBD Where: Warren County Margins: To be determined. What's at stake: Clinton-Massie Local Schools placed a 1% earned income tax levy on the May ballot after voters rejected it last November. After the November levy failed, the district planned to eliminate roughly 10 teaching positions for the 2025-2026 school year, cut four support positions and increase pay-to-participate fees. According to the district's website, the additional funds generated by the May levy would be used to: Maintain current educational programs. Continue the implementation of the district's strategic plan. Provide permanent improvement funds. Keep up with rising costs related to the district's day-to-day expenses. Franklin City School District − TBD Where: Warren County Margins: To be determined. What's at stake: If the levy fails, the district will need to eliminate $1.2 million in spending for the 2025-2026 school year. If the levy fails, for the 2025-2026 school year, the district will: Cut all-day kindergarten. Raise pay-to-participate fees. Make cuts to transportation, which would include no high school busing. Charge actual costs for school fees, rather than reduced fees. Keep larger class sizes. If the levy passes, the district will reduce class sizes by reinstating previously cut teaching positions. Make only minimal improvements to the intermediate campus. West Clermont Local School District − TBD Where: Clermont County Margins: To be determined. What's at stake: According to a press release from the district, the levy will fund the Master Facilities Plan, which addresses: Overcrowding. Aging facilities. Inequity between school buildings. "Diverse needs" of the district's growing student body. The plan includes building two new buildings, one for fifth and sixth graders and one for seventh and eighth graders. The buildings would be connected on the current middle school campus. The plan also includes a new elementary school. Enquirer media partner Fox19 contributed to this report. This story will be updated. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Southwest Ohio election results: Which school levies passed?
