School District Faces Major Cuts
West Geauga Schools’ 4.82-mill continuing substitute levy lost by a landslide in the Nov. 4 election, challenging district officials to make tough financial decisions in its wake.
West Geauga Schools’ 4.82-mill continuing substitute levy lost by a landslide in the Nov. 4 election, challenging district officials to make tough financial decisions in its wake.
Out of 6,626 ballots cast, 4,048 opposed the levy and 2,578 supported it, according to the final unofficial results of the Geauga County Board of Elections.
Superintendent Nancy Benincasa expressed disappointment Tuesday evening.
“The failure of this levy means significant cuts to our general operating budget with implications for student programming and opportunities,” she said. “Our hope will be to minimize, as much as possible, the negative impact on students. In reality, that will be a challenge.”
If it had passed, the levy would have yielded $6.05 million per year and cost homeowners $169 per year per $100,000 property valuation, according to the Geauga County Auditor’s Office.
The measure combined two existing emergency levies that the district had planned to use to fund various operations and construction projects, Treasurer Karen Pavlat said earlier this year.
The levy’s failure would result in funding cuts in all areas, Pavlat said prior to the election.
“The board would need to consider all available options for cutting costs to account for the loss of revenue resulting from the expiration of the two existing emergency levies,” she previously said, adding the state reimbursement of about $750,000 would also be lost.
“The decision to cut funding that has been in place for roughly twenty years will have a direct impact on our ability to maintain our offerings for students,” Benincasa added Tuesday.
The West Geauga Schools Board of Education will have to evaluate its options, including the possibility of returning to the ballot in May 2026, Benincasa said.
She emphasized community input and engagement are essential.
“I encourage community members to stay involved and engaged in their school community,” Benincasa said. “There is much to be proud of in West Geauga, from our high academic rankings to our strong athletic and music programs. This district is a special place and one that we are determined to keep that way for our kids.”
