HILLIARD, Ohio-Hilliard City Schools has announced a contingency plan if its November levy fails, which includes eliminating nearly 100 jobs and significantly increasing pay-to-participate fees. Superintendent David Stewart stated that difficult decisions would need to be made by the Board of Education if the levy, known as Issue 39, is unsuccessful. This levy combines a 1.84-mills bond issue and a 6.9-mills operating levy, costing property owners $242 per $100,000 in home valuation. The funds are intended for building and renovating schools and covering operational costs, marking the first levy request in eight years. The proposed plan could save $10,096,000 through staff cuts and fee increases, raising middle school fees from $80 to $300 and high school fees from $100 to $600. However, some community members, represented by the group Hilliard Tax Payers Need To Know, argue that the levy is unnecessary, citing already high taxes.
