After Loveland levy fails, school leaders regroup

LOVELAND, Ohio (WKRC) - The Loveland School District is regrouping after its levy was defeated. The school levy was a $165-million ask that the district touted as essential, but the voters didn't see it that way. The Loveland School Board is meeting Thursday night and the failed levy will be discussed. The deadline is Dec. 12 if the district wants to try again on the March ballot. The superintendent says it might be a different ask next time. The school property tax increase of 42 percent brought out lots of yard signs in Loveland. The "vote no" camp called the levy too big, too much and too long. But the school district wanted that yes vote, saying teachers are teaching in hallways or in trailers. "The needs don't go away. We clearly have building needs, that part of our master plan that we'll need to address, but our primary concern now is operating dollars," said Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse. Crouse said she's disappointed the combined operating and permanent improvement bond ballot issue didn't pass. It was voted on and rejected in three counties that make up the district. Clermont was 77 percent against and 22 percent for the levy. The Hamilton County break down was 79 and 20 percent. Warren County was 76 percent against and 23 percent for. “Everything that seemed to impact education seemed to be left out, but all these frills and bells and whistles were put in, like new turf fields and a $23-million fine arts center. Things that are nice to have but not necessary,” said Juliet Tissot, one of the organizers of the Loveland Against School Levy group. The mother of two said the levy didn't make sense. “We're all for the schools, for the education, for the teachers, for the community, but this levy was absurd. And we really want to work with the yes side and come together as one group instead of two groups opposed to each other,” she said. The superintendent said they also want to engage the community because, right now, the district is dealing with two issues: money to operate and money to upgrade and repair the buildings. Crouse said, “Neither one of those needs go away. The decision will just have to be from the board of whether we break that up and put that into smaller chunks across time or whether we continue to move forward.” In a statement, the Board of Education president said, as for the immediate next steps, they plan to reflect on the vote, adding this was not the plan the voters wanted. You can read the full statement here. In 2014, a four-year levy passed, but it's been 21 years since the district had a bond issue.