Three new state laws are creating a major financial shortfall for the Willoughby-Eastlake School District, which stands to lose $22 million over the next five years.
EASTLAKE , Ohio - Three new state laws are creating a major financial shortfall for the Willoughby - Eastlake School District, which stands to lose $22 million over the next five years. The new laws are designed to give voters property tax relief, but the district says the changes will significantly impact its budget.
The school board is now working to determine how to close the gap. House Bill 129 and House Bill 186 were both signed into law last year and both impact property taxes as it pertains to school funding. House Bill 96 which is the budget bill allows individual Boards of County Commissioners to have local control over property taxes.Lake County Board of Commissioners was one of just four counties out of the 88 total in the state to enact both the owner-occupied and the homestead credits, according to the district. Now the district is looking at a $22 million deficit over the next five years and they are working to figure out how to close that gap. Willoughby-Eastlake Treasurer Nicholas Ciarniello said merging the district’s two newly built high schools remains an option, but only if no other solution is found. “That would be, certainly, the last ditch effort if, you know, there was no other choice,” Ciarniello said. Voters could be asked to support a levy to help close the financial gap and avoid a high school merger. Ciarniello said he hopes the community will engage on the issue. “I’d encourage everyone to, you know, get out there and advocate on behalf of their school district and their kids, and let them know, you know, they value their two high schools, their public schools, their kids, and the education that we provide for them,” Ciarniello said.“We are at the beginning of a long conversation with our community about how we continue to advocate for our students and the educational opportunities we currently provide. Ultimately, together will determine the best path forward for Willoughby-Eastlake Schools over the coming months and year,” the statement read.Mentor Rocks 2026 concert lineup features multiple national recording artistsBody of man discovered in Akron woods ID’d as former inmate released from prison weeks before he was found
Willoughby Eastlake School Education Willoughby-Eastlake School District House Bill 129 House Bill 186 School Merging Merge Lake County Board Of County Commissioners Willoughby-Eastlake Treasurer Nicholas Ciarniello Nicholas Ciarniello Willoughby South Eastlake North High School School District
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