North Ridgeville Schools asking for passage of May 3 levy due to growth

NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio — Issue 6 on the May 3 ballot is a new-money operating levy that will enable the North Ridgeville City Schools to continue current academic programming and educational offerings as the district grows, according to Superintendent Roxann Ramsey-Caserio.

If approved, the 4.9-mill levy will bring in $5,673,320 per year over 10 years and cost the owner of a home valued at $100,000 an additional $14.16 per month, she said.

Student enrollment has increased by over 10 percent in the last five years. Caserio notes that the district has been operating without additional funds since 2012, when the school board promised not to ask for new money for 10 years. They kept their word.

Even without any new levies, the district has expanded both academic and extracurricular offerings during that time.

As an example, Caserio said, “There used to be four Advanced Placement courses and now there are 17. Languages used to include only Spanish and French. Now, languages also include Chinese and American Sign Language.”

In addition, she said, students can now earn high school credit for middle school algebra, physical science, industrial technology and piano.

She noted that Ranger High-Tech Academy (RHTA) opened five years ago, in 2017, with grades 4-7 and a total of only 96 students. Now, it boasts 347 students in grades 2-11. She points out RHTA is the “only fully accredited public STEM school in Lorain County and one of less than 70 STEM schools in Ohio.”

Extracurricular activities have not been forgotten, either. Expanded extracurriculars now include swimming, gymnastics, Sparkle cheer, gaming club/e-sports, coding club, creators club, art club, history club and robotics club.

North Ridgeville has the second-lowest school district tax rate for residents in Lorain County, according to the school district’s information. Only Wellington has a lower tax rate for schools, according to the Lorain County auditor.

When asked what would happen if voters turn down the levy, Caserio said: “The district would need to take a step back and look for areas to save dollars. We don’t have a list, but the biggest cost is staff. We would look for areas which we could reduce.”

She also mentioned cuts to bus transportation.

“We provide busing within 1.5 miles, but the state requirement is two miles. Younger children, grades K-2, are transported regardless.

“There is also before and after care at the schools, which is currently 45 minutes before school begins and one hour after. These may be areas we might have to scale back on,” she said.

Caserio emphasized that none of these are identified as absolutes, just areas that would have to be considered if the levy fails.

“But we have been very responsible,” said Caserio, “and hope the community will support us on May 3 to keep the great programming and high-quality staff and educators in the North Ridgeville City School District.”

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