Citizens for
Ottawa Hills Schools

LEARN WHY THIS OPERATING LEVY IS CRITICAL

vote early to vote yes for Ottawa Hills SchoolsOur goal is to take a transparent approach informing the community why we all must VOTE YES on March 19 to ensure Ottawa Hills Local Schools has the revenue it needs to embrace growth and preserve success.

 

GET INVOLVED

REQUEST A YARD SIGN
CALCULATE TAX EST.
JOIN THE VOTE YES LIST

JOIN US FOR COMMUNITY CHAT WEDNESDAYS

February 7th at 7 pm via ZOOM RECORDING here
February 21st at 7 pm in the elementary school community room
 February 28th at 7 pm in the elementary school community room
March 6th at 7 pm in the elementary school community room

BE AN INFORMED VOTER

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The community of Ottawa Hills has a long history of supporting operating levies to fund our schools. 

 

Ottawa Hills local schools is the heart of the village. The school is a main driver of property values. 

The most recently updated (Nov. 2023) 5-year forecast for our school district is available here.

The financial state of the district was the main focus at the January State of the District meeting. A recording is available to watch HERE and the presentation slides can be viewed HERE. 

Operating levies fund the day to day expenses. 

The 12.9 mill levy will generate $2.3 million in critical revenue for the school district. 

Yes! District leadership has worked to reduce expenses as much as possible with the goal of limiting impact in the classroom. Read more here.

The school district has an extensive FAQ on district finances that is updated periodically. The FAQ has specific answers on revenue and expenses. Click HERE to read the FAQ.

Election Day is March 19, during Ottawa Hills’ spring break. Plan to vote early or absentee. Scroll to the bottom of this webpage to see links to voting resources.

Early voting begins Feb. 21 at the Lucas County Building located just across from Franklin Park Mall at 3737 W. Sylvania Ave. Door C

 

  1. Request your absentee ballot to sent to your home HERE.
  2. Any ballot type (Primary, General, Special) you select with have Issue 5: Ottawa Hills School Levy on the ballot. 
  3. Absentee Ballot applications are a REQUEST to have an absentee ballot sent to your home. You will not be casting any votes online or on this application.
  4. You will need to print out, sign and return applications via USPS in a stamped envelope.  If you are local, they can also be dropped off to the Lucas County Board of Elections at 3737 W. Sylvania Ave.
  5. Applications for ballots are due March 12, 2024.
  6. Once the board of elections receives your absentee ballot application, the board will process your request and mail your ballot to your address.
  7. Absentee Ballots must be postmarked by March 18, 2024
    If you’re returning your ballot in person to the board of elections, it must be received by 7:30pm on Election Day, March 19, 2024. 

Without this levy the district will need to make close to $1.5 million in cuts for next school year. These cuts WILL increase class sizes (especially for elementary grades and JHHS math classes),  decrease academic offerings, decrease student services, and reduce extracurricular opportunities (including eliminating 2 tbd varsity sports).

The district will be able to maintain current levels of academic, social-emotional, and extracurricular supports and opportunities to students. This levy will not fund new services, but preserve and maintain what students currently have. 

This chart show what current class sizes are. Without a levy passed this March elementary class sizes will increase next school year.

Without the levy each of these will be impacted:
  • Smallest average class sizes in NW Ohio
  • 23 varsity high school sports
  • 19 AP classes
  • Exceptional arts, music and theater programs
  • Academic and social-emotional supports for students

FACT VS. FICTION

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23 varsity sports

CONTACT US

Want to host an information session?

Have a question?

Want to learn more or get involved?

EMAIL US: [email protected]

VOTING RESOURCES

  • March 19 is Election Day (and during Ottawa Hills’ spring break)
  • Check if you’re registered to vote HERE
  • Register to vote by Feb. 20 HERE
  • Get absentee ballot info HERE 
  • Early voting is open Feb. 21-Mar. 17 at the Lucas County Building located just across from Franklin Park Mall at 3737 W. Sylvania Ave. Door C

MORE ABOUT US

We are a ballot issue committee comprised of volunteer citizens. Julie MacMillan and Erica Kelm are our Co-Chairs. Melissa Pennington-Gagacki is our Treasurer.