“It’s Critical!” was the tagline for the levy campaign in Parma this time around as the school system and levy supporters scrambled to get the needed votes to pass a levy that has failed in the city the last seven times it was on the ballot. Facing budget cuts under Governor Kasich’s SB5 plan the school was faced with the harsh reality that the state could come in if the levy failed and take over the school system. However not all voters are convinced that the levy passing is a good thing.
With many people living in Parma already living paycheck to paycheck the question on their mind was how they were going to pay for the tax increase. They also questioned, based off of the past history of the school system, if the school system was fiscally responsible enough to warrant the extra tax dollars. Some residents understand that the education of the community’s children should be a top priority, but they doubt if that is a top priority for the school’s administration.
Running a campaign that sparked more fear than transparency and trust the school system announced last month that it would be closing four more elementary schools with a possible fifth if the levy didn’t pass. Those against the levy planned on the campaign to backfire on the school system, but it rallied enough support to barely get it passed.
Parma voters barely passed the levy with a margin of only 242 votes. In absentee voting the issue was failing with the final numbers being 9,822 against the levy and 8,417 for the levy. On Election Day 10,333 Parma residence headed to the polls with 58% voting for the levy and turning the tide in favor for the tax increase. However this narrow victory does come with a price. Some voters were questioning the voting process at the polls on Election Day. The voters were met with a choice to take a ballot for just the mayoral race in Parma or a ballot with the mayoral race and issues.
“When I went to the polls they asked me which ballot I wanted. . .the Mayoral or the Mayoral and "issues". . .never mentioning the school levy. I'm sure it's legal but it's completely unethical.” Stated one Parma voter on their Facebook page which sums up the general feelings of some of the Parma residents.
Regardless the levy passed and now the question is will the school system improve or will the administration just squander the tax dollars paid by the citizens of Parma?
No comments:
Post a Comment