Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Heights Schools Issue?
The Heights Schools levy on the November 6th ballot is a 7.2 mill operating levy that will protect our academic success and the strength of our community.  It will allow the district to keep the critical programs that are helping our students achieve, and the teachers and staff members who make these programs successful.  The Heights Schools levy is the smallest CH-UH operating levy in 20 years and it will only cost $18 more per month per $100,000 home value.

How do I know that the schools really need this issue?
A review by an independent citizen’s committee says that this issue is essential to keeping academic progress.  This volunteer finance review committee has analyzed all of the district’s finances and found that they are operating efficiently, but that they must pass the levy to maintain current academic levels. 

Why does the district need the money now?
Like all of us, the schools have faced rising costs every year – in things like healthcare, utilities, fuel and more.  But because of our State’s school funding system, the school district is stuck with the same amount of money that they had four years ago, even though costs continue to rise.  They have cut costs significantly in order to run a more efficient school district, but without this levy, they will have to make large cuts that will hurt education. 

Have the schools really improved lately?
Yes.  Our schools have improved dramatically in recent years, thanks to hard work by our students and teachers, and proven leadership from our Superintendent and her administrative team.  Student grades have improved, as have test scores compared with four years ago.  The graduation rate is up to 96.4% and more Heights graduates are going to college than ten years ago. 

Why does this issue matter to our community?
Cleveland Heights and University Heights are special communities.  Great communities must have strong, successful schools, and our schools are a part of what makes this such a great place to live.  That’s why it’s up to us to protect our school by approving this issue.  Without this issue, academics at our schools will suffer, which will make it even harder to attract and retain families to our community. 

Why can’t the District just make cuts? 
The CH-UH Schools have made millions in permanent cuts in the last four years – more than $7 million in total.  School leaders have been very careful to try and avoid large cuts that directly impact the classroom. Because there are few, if any, such places left to cut, the amount that the district will have to cut if the issue fails is so large that education will inevitably suffer. 

What happens if the issue doesn’t pass?
The district will be forced to make millions of dollars worth of significant cuts that will impact educational quality.  We will not be able to keep critical programs that help our students succeed.  Specialized programs for those who need additional help, and also for those students who excel and need advanced programming will be impacted.  Since personnel costs are our highest expense, teachers and support staff, who have worked so hard to improve our school district, will be impacted. 

What do we get if we approve the Heights School levy?
We can:

• Keep test scores improving
• Keep quality teachers in the classroom
• Keep security and discipline
• Keep programs for gifted students and those who need extra help
• Keep the education our families want and need
• Keep our community and our schools desirable

How do I know the district uses its current funds wisely?
Our school district has received numerous financial accounting awards and our Treasurer’s Office is recognized as one of the most responsible and accurate in the State.  Additionally, the Lay Finance Committee, a volunteer citizen’s group, reviews the district’s finances to ensure that the community’s money is used effectively.

I can’t afford more taxes, why should I support this issue?
Making an investment in our children is making an investment in our future- not just as a school district, but also as a community.  Without strong and successful schools, we won’t have a strong community, strong property values, or a strong future. 

Why should I vote for the school levy after the Board voted to close Coventry?
The levy is extremely important to the health of our community – so you should not waste a vote by making a stand against one board decision, state school funding, etc.  The failure of this levy will hurt the children of this district, and the quality of the community as a whole. 

If the current method of school funding was found unconstitutional, why can’t we just wait for the State to fix it and not pass any more taxes?
It may take years for the State to fix school funding and in the meantime, we have to operate within the current framework.  If we don’t act now, Cleveland Heights and University Heights’ children will suffer because we won’t be able to offer them the materials and programs necessary for today’s education.

Why do schools cost so much? 
The Cleveland Heights - University Heights City School District faces a range of challenges that few other school districts contend with.  School leaders believe that every student can achieve no matter their background or previous knowledge attained before entering the district.  The schools provide desperately needed programs that help students facing poverty, advanced programs for gifted students that our community has come to expect, and special programs for students with significant disabilities.  This wide range of services for all students has led to our current success, and is the blueprint for the future that we must maintain by approving the Heights Schools issue.  Extensive athletic programs, art, numerous music programs, libraries, extracurricular clubs and activities, social workers, nurses, classroom aides and support staff are just a few of the many offerings our local funding supports. 


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