Permanent improvement levies can only be used to pay for facilities work, and assets such as buses and longer-term equipment.
The Montgomery County Board of Elections reported that 51.2% of votes in November were against the levy while 48.8% were in favor.
The new property tax levy would cost taxpayers $102 annually for every $100,000 of appraised property value, according to Mad River Schools.
While the new levy, if passed, would be a tax-increase levy, Ellender said residents are currently seeing their school taxes drop. He said that’s because the 5.22-mill school bond issue that was passed back in 2001 was paid off in 2024, meaning taxpayers no longer have to pay those taxes.
An additional 0.5-mill facilities maintenance levy the district used for building upkeep also expired at the end of 2024, according to Ellender.
Ellender said the new levy, if passed, would pay for repairs to buildings, such as HVAC equipment, roofs, asphalt parking and driveways, as well as equipment like buses, and athletic and band equipment. Permanent improvement levies can’t be spent on teacher salaries or other items paid for out of the general fund for everyday expenses.
In a November statement on the district’s website, Ellender listed some specific needs, including an air conditioning chiller at Spinning Hills Middle School and new roofing shingles on all four elementary school buildings — Beverly Gardens, Brantwood, Saville and Stevenson.
Ellender said if the levy doesn’t pass in May, needed repairs will be delayed again and the treasurer would recommend running the ballot initiative again in November. No budget cuts have been made yet as a result of November’s levy rejection, but repairs have been delayed, he said.
About the Author
