March 2021
Superintendent’s Message
Dear Rocky River residents:
The Rocky River City Schools will have a 4.9 mill levy on the upcoming May 4, 2021 ballot. This levy is critically important as more than 82% of our District’s revenues are generated from local sources. The last levy passed in 2017.
The Board of Education takes stewardship of tax dollars very seriously. Over the last four years, the administration has implemented cost-saving measures such as a retirement incentive program, an energy conservation capital project, consortium purchasing, cost-sharing partnerships, applying for grants from government and nonprofit organizations and refinancing bonds, all in an effort to maximize taxpayer investment in our schools.
The Board is seeking this levy to maintain the high-quality academic and social-emotional support our students need, while also maintaining the quality of our facilities and operations. Consistent with the District’s mission, this levy will allow us to continue to offer high-quality education and provide exceptional opportunities to all students, while expanding existing programs and adding new programs to help prepare our children for an ever-changing global society.
The 4.9 mill May 4 levy is 4.65 mill for operating expenses and 0.25 mill for permanent improvements (PI). The operating funds will provide funding for daily operating expenses and educational materials. The 0.25 mill permanent improvements will be dedicated to maintenance, repairs and improvements of our school buildings.
This levy request was timed to coincide with a 1.0 mill “drop-off” of a bond issue to minimize the cost to our taxpayers. The net cost of this issue, with the “drop-off” factored in, is $11.74 per month per $100,000 in valuation.
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns at 440-356-6715, or by email at [email protected]. Additional information is available on our website at rrcs.org/issue11.aspx. Sincerely,
Michael G. Shoaf, Ed.D.
Superintendent