Securing the "Nuts and Bolts" of Our District—Without Increasing Your Taxes
Investing in our Spartans means securing the future of our entire community. The Boardman Local Schools Renewal Levy is a critical annual revenue that funds daily operations, utilities, and dedicated staff—the essential nuts and bolts of our district.
How much will the levy generate?
The 5.9 mill levy will generate $4.27 million dollars per year. The levy is currently 8% of the general fund budget
When did this levy first appear on the ballot?
This 5.9 mill renewal expenses levy was first passed in 1996. $1 of the generated levy value from 1996 is now .45 cents due to inflation.
Why has the ‘continuous’ levy request from last November been changed to a fixed 5-year renewal on the upcoming ballot?
Listening to the results from the November election, the Board of Education heard the feedback from the community, and the Board of Education made the decision to put it on as a 5-year term renewal levy.
How are the Boardman Schools funded?
Why is the renewal levy needed?
Some of the primary ways this money is used in our general fund budget include:
• Personnel Costs: salaries & benefits for teachers, administrators, and staff
• Educational Materials: textbooks, workbooks, software and classroom supplies
• Utilities and Maintenance: electricity, water, and other costs to operate buildings
• Transportation: fuel and upkeep for school buses.
What will the ballot look like?
What happened to building a new 4-6 building?
In November of 2022, the district asked for a change to a Permanent Improvement levy to make it continuous and voters approved. The Board’s desire to make this change had two factors: 1) Strengthen District Borrowing Power that could potentially be used for renovation/construction 2) Reduce Voter Fatigue by reducing the number of renewals on the ballot from year to year.
During this process, the estimated cost of construction rose significantly due to inflation and interest rates. Even coupled with an improved state share in building cost, the annual borrowing costs for the district were too steep to merit further progress.
We acknowledge that we should have communicated this more clearly. A facilities committee is currently being established to continue to monitor the economic factors and potential for an overall Facilities Plan for the district.
Is there oversight on how levy funds are spent?
Financial reports are published each month as part of our monthly Board of Education meeting minutes. The district also publishes an annual profile in August, which highlights building and safety improvements.
In August of 2025, Boardman Schools Treasurer, A.J. Ginnetti, and his team were honored with the Auditor of State Award for Fiscal Year 2024. The treasurer’s office completes an audit annually to reinforce the commitment to fiscal strength and stability.
To learn more about school district audits, click on these links: