VOTE YES
Ravenna Strong
Support Issue 12 on May 6, 2025 for a stronger community!
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Ravenna Strong
Strong schools build a stronger community. Economic growth, community development and community stability all stem from schools that are well-funded and supported by our neighbors. Help us attract new businesses and families while nurturing the potential of our future generations in strong Ravenna Schools!
Strong Schools Mean:
Strong families
Strong Academics
Strong Businesses
Strong Athletics
Strong Community
What Is Issue 12?
Issue 12 is a 2.75-million dollar 5-year emergency levy. The last levy for operating funds in Ravenna passed in 2005 – 20 years ago – but expenses for operating and supplying our schools go up every year.
Issue 12 funds will be used to maintain the best of what Ravenna School District offers with a focus on growth by:
Retaining and increasing high-performing staff
Reinstating value-added programs and services
Enhancing extracurriculars
Welcoming community members to use our facilities
What Isn’t Issue 12?
Issue 12 is not a forever tax or a permanent raise to existing property taxes. Issue 12 is for a fixed number of dollars for a fixed period of time, regardless of changes in property valuation or income changes. However, if the tax base – aka the numbers of properties taxed – goes up, the tax will go down, and vice versa.
What’s at Stake?
The State of Ohio could create a commission to assume part or all of the powers of our Board of Education.
The Ohio Department of Education recently placed Ravenna School District into the category of fiscal caution. The Auditor of State monitors us to help devise a plan for recovery. With no new funding, the Auditor could place our district in fiscal watch or fiscal emergency – and remove local control over our schools.
You’ll see a school levy on the ballot in every eligible election cycle.
Operational and supply costs for Ravenna Schools continue to rise every year – as they do for families in our community – while our revenue remains fixed. This problem will not go away unless our community votes in support of its students’ current and future success.
Ravenna students will be at a disadvantage for post-graduation success.
We want all our students to be well-prepared for employment, higher education or enlistment in service to their country after high school. Issue 12 will help by funding support like our expansive College Credit Plus program that saves families money on college tuition and career tech courses that help students make professional and community connections for future success.
What Has RSD Done to Rein in Expenses so Far?
With no new operational funding in 20 years, Ravenna administrators have worked hard to spend wisely and practice good stewardship with district finances.
Steps the district has already taken to stretch existing funds have included eliminating over 30 positions in the last 3 years through reduction in force, attrition, and reorganization. This means increased class size and elimination of classes and programs for our students.
To demonstrate fiscal responsibility, Ravenna School District will close a building at the end of the 2024/2025 school year, beginning a consolidation process to further right-size district facilities and staff in coming years.
What Do My Neighbors Think?
FAQs About Issue 12
I don’t have kids in the Ravenna School District, so why should I support this levy?
Strong school systems help promote economic development, community growth and community stability. By supporting Ravenna School District financially through levy funds, you are supporting the health of the entire Ravenna community. Strong schools attract new families and new businesses while fostering overall economic development. Plus, the Ravenna School District invites the community to use many of its athletic fields and other facilities. This resource is valuable to Ravenna residents and guests, but is only possible with sufficient operational funds to maintain grounds and keep facilities open and staffed.
How is this levy different from the PI Levy renewal in 2021?
Our 2017 levy and 2021 renewal specifically funded books, buildings, and buses. We promised to only use levy funds for those purposes – and we followed through! Roofs were fixed, pipes replaced, students received Chromebooks, security cameras were installed, and much more.
Now in 2025, an Operating Levy will boost our general funds and be used towards the operating expenses that ensure our students receive the education they deserve – all while sitting in comfortable, non-leaky classrooms… with their Chromebooks!
Why should I vote yes on the Upcoming Levy?
Voting YES provides students with the high-caliber classes and educators they need to succeed in school and beyond! After 20 years without asking for more operating funds, it is time to increase our budget to support Ravenna students.
The needs of contemporary public schools are constantly met with competition from other enrollment options and we want our students to do more than just keep up – we want them to thrive!
I’m not sure if I’m registered to vote, where to cast my vote or what to bring to the polls. Can you help me?
Double-check your registration status before Primary Election Day! In Ohio, you must be registered to vote at least 30 days prior to Primary Election Day – which would be May 6, 2025.
Ensure you are registered to vote by April 7.
Register to vote or update your current registration by April 7.
Your polling location depends on where you live in Ravenna.
Find your exact polling location here!
You must bring valid photo identification when you vote. You can bring:
- Ohio driver’s license
- State of Ohio ID card
- Interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV
- US passport
- US passport card
- US military ID card
- Ohio National Guard ID card
- US Department of Veterans Affairs ID card
All photo IDs must have the following:
- An expiration date that has not passed
- A photograph of the voter
- The voter’s name, which must substantially conform to the voter’s name as it appears in the Poll List or in the Poll Book
How else can I help Ravenna Schools get the funding our students need?
- Share our posts on Facebook!
- Drive someone to the polls.
- Tell your neighbors how our community needs their help.
- Vote YES on Primary Election Day: Tuesday, May 6, 2025!
- Direct neighbors to SupportRavennaSchools.com.
Help Keep
Ravenna Strong
Your YES vote on Issue 12 helps keep Ravenna Schools and community strong.