All 5 Greene and Warren county school levies pass; only 1 sought tax increase

Fairborn’s bond issue to finish high school project passes; Beavercreek, Xenia, Franklin, Carlisle renewals and substitutes approved
Construction at the future Fairborn High School is “is progressing very well” and on schedule for substantial completion next spring, according to Jeff Patrick, Fairborn City Schools business operations director. The Commerce Center Boulevard project increased from $70 million to $82 million since voter approval of a 5.83-mill bond issue in 2020, district officials said. The 214,000-square-foot building, on which work started in June 2021, is targeted to open for the 2024-25 school year, Patrick has said. MARSHALL GORBY\STAFF

Credit: Marshall Gorby

Credit: Marshall Gorby

Construction at the future Fairborn High School is “is progressing very well” and on schedule for substantial completion next spring, according to Jeff Patrick, Fairborn City Schools business operations director. The Commerce Center Boulevard project increased from $70 million to $82 million since voter approval of a 5.83-mill bond issue in 2020, district officials said. The 214,000-square-foot building, on which work started in June 2021, is targeted to open for the 2024-25 school year, Patrick has said. MARSHALL GORBY\STAFF

Five school districts across Greene and Warren counties had tax levies on the ballot Tuesday, and unofficial final results showed voters passed all five.

The Fairborn, Beavercreek and Xenia school levies all passed, according to unofficial final results, including a Fairborn issue to finish parts of the high school that had been cut due to lack of funding.

The Franklin and Carlisle school levies passed, according to unofficial final results from the Warren County Board of Elections. The levy for Carlisle schools, a no-increase renewal, was far behind in early voting results but pulled ahead after ballots cast on Election Day were counted.

Fairborn bond issue

The Fairborn school district asked voters to approve a 1.7-mill bond issue for more funds for the new high school. The proposal would restore projects, like tennis courts, that were cut due to rising costs.

In unofficial, partial results, 52% had voted for the issue and 48% had voted against.

School district officials said it would generate about $24.6 million and tax collection will start in 2027 after a current 2-mill bond issue expires.

Fairborn superintendent Gene Lolli thanked the districts’ voters for their support.

“Passage of this will allow us to complete the projects as planned,” Lolli said.

Beavercreek substitute renewal

Beavercreek school district voters were asked whether to renew a 5.25-mill substitute levy for another five years.

In unofficial final results, 57% had voted for the tax levy and 43% had voted against.

The levy raises $11.4 million per year and costs a homeowner $184 per $100,000 of valuation, according to the Greene County Auditor’s office.

Substitute levies do not increase tax rates for existing taxpayers, but they can bring in higher revenues for the schools in future years if there is new construction.

Xenia income tax renewal

Xenia voters were again asked to renew an existing 0.5% income tax — the same measure that failed at the ballot box in November by a single vote out of 12,600.

In unofficial final results, 57% of voters had voted for the tax levy and 43% had voted against.

The measure would renew the 0.5% income tax for a period of seven more years. The tax raises approximately $4.5 million, or 10% of the district’s annual operating budget.

“I am happy to say that this operating levy will now continue to provide critical funding for day-to-day learning in our classrooms,” said Xenia superintendent Gabe Lofton. “This successful renewal allows us to continue the work that we are doing, and will support Xenia students for years to come.”

Franklin substitute renewal

Franklin City Schools sought approval of a five-year, 13.92-mill substitute operating levy. It would continue a previous substitute levy that was passed in 2018, according to the Warren County Auditor’s Office.

According to final unofficial results, 67% of voters voted for the tax levy and 33% had voted against.

The levy will generate $7.75 million a year and will continue to cost a property owner $488 per $100,000 of property valuation, according to the Warren County Auditor’s Office.

Franklin Superintendent Michael Sander said he was thrilled to see the levy pass.

“The community has always stepped up for the students,” Sander said.

Carlisle renewal

Carlisle Local Schools asked voters to renew an emergency operating levy for 4.41 mills for another five years.

According to final unofficial results, 54% had voted for the tax levy and 46% had voted against.

The levy will continue to cost a homeowner about $154 annually per $100,000 of valuation, and will continue to generate about $993,222 per year in revenue for the school district.

About the Author