Yes4Elida
Together, we can keep Elida strong!
Support the upcoming levy on May 6th, 2025!
Welcome to the official website for the Elida School Renewal Levy—a vital initiative to ensure continued excellence in our schools with no new taxes.
Our community has always valued strong schools, and this renewal is essential to maintaining high-quality education, excellent teachers, and important student programs—all without increasing taxes. By voting YES, you’re helping to sustain the resources that make Elida a great place to live, learn, and grow.
A strong school district means a strong community, and with your support, we can keep providing the opportunities our students deserve. Explore this site to learn more about the levy, why it matters, and how you can help ensure a bright future for Elida Schools.
OUR MISSION
The Keep Elida Schools Strong Committee is dedicated to informing the community about the Elida Local School District, recognizing that strong schools are essential for community well-being, economic growth, and a thriving future.
Strong Schools
provide a foundation for a thriving community by offering:
High Quality Education
Economic
Growth
Preparing students for college, careers, and lifelong success.
Attracting businesses and families, increasing property values, and strengthening the local economy.
Community
Engagement
Future
Leaders
Support and Resources
Creating a sense of unity through events, volunteer opportunities, and partnerships.
Committed to building future leaders by fostering academic excellence, character development, and lifelong learning..
Providing resources and opportunities for students, including counseling, extracurricular activities, and mentorship programs.
What is the levy?
It is NOT a new tax and NOT a tax increase.
A renewal levy is a property tax levy that continues an existing tax at the same rate without increasing taxes. It allows a school district or local government to maintain funding without adding new costs to taxpayers. Renewal levies must be approved by voters and typically last for a set period, such as five years. If not renewed, the funding provided by the levy expires, leading to significant budget
shortfalls.
What is an emergency levy?
An emergency levy is a “fixed sum” levy which is for a set dollar amount for a specific length of time. With an emergency levy, the collected amount does not change when property values increase or decrease. If new houses are built though, the cost to individual taxpayers goes down as it is sharedby a broader tax base. There is no way for this levy to increase to cover inflationary items due to HB920 passed in 1976.
Why is it called an emergency levy?
Oddly enough, an emergency levy is not named because of an ominous or emergency budgetary situation. The name was simply created by the State and used for a property tax that serves as a limited operating levy for a school district. Because the dollar amount of emergency taxes charged by
the levy must stay constant, the millage rate increases or decreases as property values change.
Year
2005
2025
Ammount Collected
$2,700,000
$2,700,000
Millage Rate
7.7 mills
4.555 mills
How long have the schools had the emergency levy?
The Emergency Levy has been collected by the District since 1990 and was renewed with an increase to the current value in 2005. If you or your children attended school since 1990, this levy helped fund the school during that period.
Does Elida Schools have a local income tax?
No, the school does NOT have an income tax. However, municipal income taxes are collected by theVillage of Elida and the City of Lima, depending on your place of residence and employment within these jurisdictions.
Why do we have to renew the levy every 5 years?
The levy was initially approved with a requirement for renewal every five years. As a result, voters must reapprove it every five years to ensure continued funding.
How are Elida Schools currently funded?
Most of our funding comes from local property taxes. Even though school districts in Ohio receive a combination of federal, state, and local funds, less than half of Elida Schools’ funding comes from the state and federal government. On average, schools in Ohio get $7,443.12 per student from the state and $1,955.40 per student from the federal government. But Elida Local Schools gets nearly 11% less than that – only $5,949.05 per student from the state and $2,471.16 from the federal government.
Elida Schools Funding
Average Ohio District Funding
State Sources
Federal Sources
Local Sources
Non-Tax Sources
Total Revenue
$5,949.05/student
$2,471.16/student
$5,687.41/student
$1,127.60/student
$15,235.22/student
$7,443.12/student
$1,955.40/student
$7,333.55/student
$1,435.46/student
$18,167.55/student
Elida gets $2,932.30 less per student than the average school district in Ohio. This means Elida has approximately $5.9 million less per year available to educate our students than the average school in Ohio.
The Impact of the Levy. Support Our Future.
The following are questions that community members have asked, and we want to provide you with the answers so that everyone is informed about the impact of the levy. Understanding how this levy supports our schools, our students, and our future is essential, and we are committed to ensuring you have the information needed to make an informed decision. By staying informed, you can proudly choose to support the success of our students and the continued growth of our community.
Renewal Levy: Maintaining Your Support Without Raising Taxes.
"How much will this cost me?"
​
The emergency levy costs $13.28 per month for every $100,000 of appraised property value as determined by the County Auditor. This valuation is based on official assessments, not market estimates from sources like Zillow.
"My property was just reappraised, and the taxes went up, doesn’t the school get more money from that?"
In reality, the tax revenue is shifting toward greater local responsibility. The school district does not receive additional revenue from this change. As local property taxes increase, the state's contribution to the district decreases, keeping overall school funding level.
"What happens if the levy isn’t renewed in 2025?"
If the levy is not renewed, the school district loses the funding it provides, $2.7 million, which will result in budget shortfalls and cuts to essential services. In our case, a $2.7 million shortfall would have a severe impact on the district, affecting programs, staff, and resources. These resources and programs equip our students with the essential skills and knowledge needed to succeed in college, the military, or the workforce after graduation.
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Elimination of 30 positions across all areas
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Curtail maintenance spending on buildings
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Reduced maintenance on parking lots
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Curtail bus purchases
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Busing for students going to Elida, Apollo and the non-public schools
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Expansion of the walk zone to 2 miles
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Marching band would not travel to away games• Reduction in SRO’s
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Kindergarten from full day to 1⁄2 day
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Reduced Services for at-risk students
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Increased Class Sizes
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Cuts in Arts, Music, Clubs, and Sports Programs
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possible elimination of non-revenue sports
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some or all of drama department
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some or all quiz bowl teams
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"What will the funds be spent on if renewed?"
The same thing they are spent on currently, expenses that directly impact our students, like salaries, benefits,
utilities, and supplies. Elida does SO MANY things well through programs like the following, it would be
terrible to put them at risk.
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Arts & Music
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Athletics
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Student-to-student mentorship programs
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Dawgs-n-Pups
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2nd & 7 Program (National Foundation)
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National Honor Society pen pal with 5th graders program
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Career Connections class at Elida Middle School – getting students to begin thinking about post-high school
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National Honor Society – volunteering in the community
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Leadership class at Elida High School
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Giving students opportunities to showcase their talents through
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High School Paw Cast
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Yearbooks
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Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) – creating positive learningenvironments in our buildings by students & teachers modeling appropriate behavior.
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Showcasing our facilities through events that bring others, outside the community, into Elida
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Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) – Solo & Ensemble regional competitions
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Ohio High School Athletic Association – sectional, district and regional tournament competitions for multiple sports.
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Sharing playgrounds and fields with the community – Many communities have municipal recreational programs. All of Elida’s recreation is done through the partnership with the school.
"Has our money been spent wisely by the district?"
Each year, an independent auditing firm conducts a thorough review of our school district's finances, and we consistently receive a clean opinion. This demonstrates that Elida Local Schools manage taxpayer dollars responsibly and with great care. The funds from this levy are used for essential operating expenses, ensuring the district can continue providing quality education and services. To view annual audit reports, visit the auditor’s website.
"What are ESSER Funds?"
ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds were federal COVID-19 relief
funds distributed to states to help schools manage the impacts of the pandemic. Initially, these funds
were provided as small grants to support technology improvements and health and safety measures.
However, as students returned from mandatory school closures, it became evident that learning loss
had occurred. In response, additional ESSER funds were allocated to help reduce class sizes, expand intervention supports, and hire more teachers. By covering these costs, ESSER funds helped relieve the burden on the district's general fund, delaying potential deficits and providing critical financial support to Elida Schools.
"If Elida received Federal funds during COVID (ESSER funds) why didn’t they save it for a “rainy day”?"
Some may wonder why school districts didn’t save ESSER funds for future use. Unfortunately, this
wasn’t allowed. The federal government required districts to spend the funds within a set timeframe,
making it a use it or lose it situation. By September 30, 2024, all ESSER funds had to be used or returned.
"Why do school districts maintain a carryover when I don’t keep much in my own savings account?"
School districts, unlike individuals, must plan for long-term financial stability to ensure they can cover
unexpected expenses, economic downturns, or delays in state funding. Maintaining a carryover is
especially important because the district is responsible not only for student programs and services but
also for the financial well-being of its staff. A reserve helps prevent sudden layoffs, payroll disruptions,
or cuts to essential resources. By managing finances responsibly, the district can provide stability for
both students and employees, ensuring a strong and reliable educational environment.
"What are the district's current expenses?"
Approximately 79% of the district's operating budget is allocated to salaries and benefits for teachers
and support staff, which is typical for Ohio school districts. The remaining 21% is used for essential
expenses such as purchasing classroom supplies, fueling school buses, and covering utility costs.
This investment in personnel ensures that a significant portion of the budget directly supports
education and student services.
For the other categories listed in the charts, “Purchased Services” includes contracted expenses,
such as utilities, trash collection, copier machines, Allen County Educational Service Center services,
electronic systems for student data, and communication with families. “Supplies and Materials”
includes curriculum resources, bus fuel, paper, printer supplies, and items like paper towels and toilet paper.
"Why do school districts maintain a carryover when I don’t keep much in my own savings account?
School districts, unlike individuals, must plan for long-term financial financial stability to ensure they can cover unexpected expenses, economic downturns, or delays in state funding. Maintaining a carryover is especially important because the district is responsible not only for student programs and services but also for the financial well-being of its staff. A reserve helps prevent sudden layoffs, payroll disruptions, or cuts to essential resources. By managing finances responsibly, the district can provide stability for both students and employees, ensuring a strong and reliable educational environment.
"My property was just reappraised by the county, and the taxes went up, why do you need more money?"
Emergency levies do not go up when property values are reappraised as they are a set dollar amount over
a set period of time. As we’ve mentioned before, this levy collected $2.7 million in 2005 and it still collects $2.7 million today.
"My local taxes did go up in the revaluation process, which makes it seem like Elida Local Schools are receiving more tax money from property owners. Is that true?"
In reality, the tax revenue is shifting toward greater local responsibility. The school district overall revenue
will not go up from this change. As local property taxes increase, the state's contribution to the district
decreases, keeping overall school funding level. The only exception to this would be if the State fully
funded the Fair School Funding plan, which there is no indication from the State that they plan to do this.
The levy benefits everyone. Strong Schools, Strong Community.
"How do property taxes benefit me, if my children are no longer in school?"
Strong schools help protect property values. Realtors often highlight the direct connection between
home values and the quality of the school district. In recent years, the Elida School District has
experienced a shortage of available homes due to its high desirability. Strong schools also attract
new people to our school district.
"How does this levy levy affect our new elementary and high school buildings?
Since 2008, our community has invested approximately $52 million to build a new high school and
elementary school, with an additional $18 million in co-funding from the State of Ohio. These state-of-the-art facilities were designed to enhance student learning. With a reduced dedicated funding stream in place for building maintenance, the more of the cost now falls on the district’s general fund. Protecting this $70 million investment is essential to ensuring the longevity and quality of our schools.
"Why is there a need for a levy?"
State funding for public schools is declining. In the 2023-24 school year, the state introduced a new
voucher program that directs public funds toward private school tuition, regardless of a family's
financial need. Additionally, the future of federal education funding remains uncertain. We have a
strong school and a supportive community, but unstable funding threatens the quality of education we provide.
"Why are the schools referred to as “OUR schools”, our family doesn’t have school aged children?"
The schools are referred to as “OUR schools” because public schools are a vital part of the entire
community, not just for families with school-aged children. Strong schools contribute to property
values, attract businesses, and help build a skilled workforce. They provide a foundation for the future
by educating the next generation of leaders, workers, and citizens who will shape the community.
Whether or not you have children in the district, the success of our schools’ benefits everyone by
maintaining a strong, vibrant, and thriving community.
Renewing the Levy. Same Cost - Big Impact.
"How much will this cost me?"
The emergency levy costs $13.28 per month for every $100,000 of appraised property value as
determined by the County Auditor. This valuation is based on county assessments, not market
estimates from sources like Zillow.
"How does an emergency levy work when new properties are developed in our district?
An emergency levy collects a fixed amount of $2.7 million, which is distributed among all taxpayers.
When new homes or businesses are built, the total number of taxpayers increases, which means the
cost is shared by more people. As a result, individual tax payments decrease over time, and the
millage rate gradually declines. However, the total revenue collected by the levy remains the same.
"What will the money from the levy be used for?"
The funds from this levy from this levy are essential for maintaining the district’s day-to-day operational expenses,
including utilities, bus fuel, classroom supplies, and retaining quality teachers. The levy generates a
fixed amount of $2.7 million, ensuring these critical needs are met. Currently, the cost to taxpayers is $13.28 per month for every $100,000 of appraised property value, as determined by the County Auditor.
"What steps has the district taken to address budget deficits caused by inflation and
reductions in state funding?"
In February 2025, the district implemented approximately $1.2 million in cost-cutting measures, which included:
1. Eliminating 11 positions—7 through retirements or attrition and 4 through direct cuts.
2. Cutting 4 coaching positions.
3. Reducing supplemental pay by 23% for all remaining coaches, musical directors, and club advisors.
4. Reinstating the Pay-to-Participate program, which had been eliminated the previous year.
5. This levy will not restore these recent cuts; rather, it is necessary to maintain the district’s current financial position moving forward.
"Why are teaching positions often the first to be cut?"
Like other service-based businesses and organizations, schools rely primarily on personnel rather
than physical assets. Because salaries and benefits make up the largest portion of the budget, there
are fewer non-staff expenses available to reduce when budget cuts are necessary. As a result,
teaching positions are often impacted first.
Teacher Voices
Baylie Long (7th Grade English Teacher)
“I am a proud 2019 Elida graduate who now works with many of the amazing teachers I once had. I saw and experienced first hand how much the teachers here care for their students and push them to be their best. This is one of the many reasons I wanted to become a teacher in the first place. There was never a question of where I wanted to be. Elida is home.”
Grace Zickafoose (High School Math Teacher)
"As a teacher, choosing a school district that felt like a family full of support and positivity was essential to me. I wanted to be part of a community where collaboration, encouragement, and a shared commitment to student success were at the core of our work. That’s why I chose to be a Bulldog within the Elida Local School District. Here, educators support one another, administrators value and uplift their staff, and students thrive in a positive learning environment."
Rileigh Young (7th Grade Intervention)
"I chose Elida because of the wonderful Special Education department. I student-taught at Elida Middle School in 2019 and loved it! The dedication of the teachers and inclusivity stood out immensely. My co-teachers and I truly care for our students. I hope to continue the tradition of providing a fun and inclusive educational setting for the kids! Go Dawgs!"
Emily Woodruff (Elementary Library Aide)
“I love working with the amazing students at Elida Elementary and helping them expand their love of reading and seeing how they problem solve with STEM projects. Elida will always have my YES!"
Angie Siefker (4th Grade Teacher)
“I was born and raised a Bulldog, Class of 2004, and it’s an honor to give back to the community that invested in my future and helped shape who I am today. Teaching at Elida has always been my dream, inspired by the incredible educators I had here.”
Amy Amspoker (High School Science Teacher)
I am a proud graduate of Elida High School and always knew this was where I was meant to teach. I value the education I received here and am so thankful that my own children are getting that same experience. I know that what we do here each and every day is making a difference!
Kiya Knittle (3rd Grade Teacher)
"Elida has had a special place in my heart since I was little! I'm a third generation Elida teacher. I've seen firsthand the lifelong impact Elida teachers have on their students! You'll never meet a more dedicated staff than the teachers at Elida! I couldn't be more proud to be a Bulldog!"
Jen Lichty (High School Math Teacher)
"I choose Elida because of the fantastic staff and students we have at the high school. We have such wonderful teachers who push the students to do their best and create amazing opportunities for students to grow and learn."
Taylor Lombardo (High School Music Teacher)
"I chose Elida Schools because of their strong commitment to providing a well-rounded, high-quality education in a supportive and welcoming environment. The district is known for its dedicated staff, who genuinely care about the success and well-being of their students. Elida’s focus on both academic excellence and extracurricular activities gives students opportunities to grow not only intellectually but also personally. Additionally, the sense of community within the school district makes it feel like a close-knit family, where everyone is encouraged to succeed and make lasting connections."
Mellani Cady (Title 1 Teacher)
"As a teacher at Elida for almost 10 years, I know first-hand how dedicated our teachers and staff are and the impact they have on our students. This, along with many other reasons, is why I decided to not only teach here, but move here so my children could attend Elida. My husband and I have never regretted our decision to make Elida home for our family."
Melody Morris (High School Science Teacher)
"As a 2011 graduate and now HS teacher, Elida has been such a vital and huge part of my life. I am so proud to be a Bulldog and feel so thankful to be able to come back and teach alongside some of the same staff members that inspired and believed in me at 14 years old. In my six years as an Elida teacher, I have had countless opportunities to grow and hone my craft as an educator and, for that, I will always be indebted to Elida Local Schools."
Student Voices
Makenna Wieging (10th grade)
"As a student, I’ve built strong connections with both my teachers and administration, and I know firsthand how important they are to my success. Without the renewal levy, it will be much harder for students to have the resources and relationships they need to truly thrive. Voting YES means investing in our education, our support systems, and our future."
Emily Long (12th grade)
"I’ve attended Elida my entire life, and that’s always something I’ve been proud of. Throughout my years, I’ve built meaningful relationships with my teachers—connections I’ll carry with me forever. Elida provides so many opportunities that help students grow not just academically, but personally as well. Being a part of this school is something I’ll always consider a true blessing."
Arleigh Amspoker (12th grade)
"As a student at Elida, I have had the privilege of being a student athlete by participating on the Elida Swim Team. I have made some of the best connections with people on the team that are now my best friends. The swim team has amazing coaches that put in time and effort to every athlete on the swim team. Voting YES means keeping the swim team-a sport that has allowed students to build connections with teammates and coaches that will be a part of their lives forever."
Mason Troyer (12th grade)
"Elida has been my home my entire life and the amazing teachers in all three schools have helped prepare me for anything life will throw at me after graduation. I am extremely grateful for the amount of activities I was able to participate in and the friendships that came with it."
Ashlyn Jolliff (10th grade)
"I love how many different opportunities there are to get involved at Elida whether that be through sports or different clubs! These clubs and sports provide a get away to those who are dealing with things outside of school and these extra curricular activities, and if those were to get taken away it would be very hard on so many students!"
Cecelia Long-Reed (12th grade)
"I love how Elida is a place we can all feel included in so many different things. We all have so many opportunities and chances to be great at something and have an amazing support team behind us. I love how supportive and encouraging the staff is and how you know you’ll always have someone in your corner supporting you no matter what. As students we all feel the need to belong to something and the staff and students at Elida are really encouraging when it comes to those circumstances!"
Allyson Sharp (11th grade)
"I love how many opportunities there are at Elida to get involved and find a good group of friends. Between sports, clubs, or classes, everyone has an opportunity to find their group of people and a community. It creates a sense of belonging and family within the schools!"
Ava Frueh (11th grade)
"I love how everyone supports each other!! There really is a place for everyone and a community of people to support them. It is fun to see students succeed in all the different activities they are able to participate in!"
Vivian Elrod (11th grade)
"I really really love the way that almost every student participates in something. There are so many clubs and sports for kids to be apart of that everyone can participate in something. It’s so fun to have so many different friends in different groups!"
Kenzie Gudakinst, Ensley Schumaker, & Bristol Edwards
"I love Elida because I love seeing my friends every day and getting to go to cheer camp with my sister." -Kenzie
“I love my teacher and Ms. Kahle makes art fun.” -Ensley
“I love my teacher and she makes me love to learn.” -Bristol
Zori Island (12th Grade)
"I’ve attended Elida since 3rd grade; I have enjoyed being at Elida. I love everything about Elida, the support from the community, the connections and relationships I have gained from Elida has made my life amazing. Being a bulldog means a lot it is a lot of good opportunities with education and sports. They help with building academics and support you outside of school to be better in life. Being able to say I’m a BULLDOG for life is a feeling I won’t regret. I will always appreciate what was done for me and I love the Elida community. #godawgs"
