Graham BOE approves unvoted permanent improvement levy

After holding a public hearing, the Graham Local Schools Board of Education has approved an unvoted permanent improvement levy during their regular meeting on Monday evening.

The levy reallocates 5 mills of inside funding to permanent improvements, and in doing so, the state would automatically restore an equal amount of previously voted-upon outside mills, up to 21.1 mills. This allows the district to use the new funds specifically for long-term needs like building repairs, buses, equipment, and much more.

This same process has been used in nearly 25% of all school districts in the state.

The district states that it has been operating under tight financial constraints and has entered a period of deficit spending. This financial pressure has made it difficult to keep up with necessary repairs, replace outdated systems like HVAC, or invest in key items such as textbooks, school buses, and classroom technology.

The full cost of property tax in Ohio (before “rollbacks”) is $35 per mill per $100,000 of appraised value. Class I property (residential and agricultural) receive a 10% non-business tax credit. Owner-occupied residential properties receive an additional 2.5% tax credit. After tax credits, owner-occupied residential properties would pay (approximately) an additional $30.63 per mill per $100,000 of appraised value.

The reallocation of inside millage to permanent improvements and corresponding increase in outside millage is only possible to reinstate previously voted millage that has been lost over time through HB 920 reduction. The district has been collecting 15 out of 21.1 voted outside mills. Movement of inside millage is limited by the 20 mill floor with a maximum collection of 20 out of 21.1 voted outside mills.

Superintendent Chad Lensman and Treasurer Patrick Swan explain what led to the decision and how the new levy will affect taxpayers.

Superintendent Lensman also commented on the district’s recent 4.5-star rating in the Ohio State School Report Card.

In other meeting items, the following donations were accepted:

$100 – Chad Burroughs for Athletic Football
$50 – Jon & Miriam Helman for Athletic Building Improvements (in memory of Tim Milligan)
$150 – Richard & Michelle McGuire for Football
$50 – Wilma J. McGuire for Football
$5,500 – Graham Athletic Boosters toward shot/disc throw area (part of a total $10,500 contribution)
$24,398.05 – Pullins Drainage and Excavating for waterway construction, netting, and setup at the Graham Agricultural Land Lab
In-Kind – Coach Massey (HS Football) built a custom cabinet for the sideline TV (used during last Friday’s game)
$4,600 – Graham Sports Boosters for a new Freddie Falcon mascot costume
In-Kind – 1 Skid of Field Markers (retail value $198) from Piqua Materials Inc.
$1,000 – Community Health and Wellness Partners for the GES Digital Sign
In-Kind – Betsy and Whit Moore donated:
- Hi/Lo Rifton activity chair (with tray)
- Firefly chair
- Switch-activated adapted toy car
$100 – Alfred D. Tong Jr. for the Military Wall of Honor
$400 – Don Vanhoose for Football LED Yard Marker
$2,228 – Eagles Breed Brotherhood MC to support Mental and Behavioral Health at Graham Local Schools