1. What is Issue 7?

Issue 7 is a $5,900,000 Emergency Levy (8.97 mills) on the May 4, 2010 ballot. An “Emergency
Levy” locks in a fixed amount of revenue; other levies lock in the millage rate which fluctuates.
Issue 7 will be in duration for 5 years starting in the 2011 calendar year. The average cost to the
tax payer with a $100,000 home is $22.89 per month. The last “New Money” levy for Lorain
City Schools was received in 1992.

2. Why do we need this levy?

Lorain City Schools has not had new money in nearly 20 years. The District will have a $9M
general fund deficit for the 2010-11 school year. The district has identified $9M in reductions to
offset this deficit. In the school year 2011-12, there is a forecasted deficit of $9M, in addition to
the current $9M deficit. Even if Issue 7 passes we will have a renewal levy on the ballot for
2011.

3. What has the district done in the past to cut costs?

• Reorganized the budget to eliminate all programs that had not shown a positive impact on
student achievement.
• Reviewed all contracts to streamline services and reduce costs such as food service, lease
agreements, and life and liability insurance.
• Implemented an Energy Management Plan that has resulted in a cost savings of $2.4
million over the past four years.
• Aggressively sought after all state and federal grants and realigned existing grant budgets
to provide as many programs to students as possible without using general funds.
• Eliminated conference travel from the general fund budget.
• Purchased Ebooks using grant dollars rather than purchasing textbooks from the general
fund.
• Eliminated Central Office positions including seven administrators and seven secretaries.
Any new positions have been funded via grants.
• Established a process to review all purchase orders to reduce duplication and waste.
Only essential material purchases are approved.
4. What cuts are necessary to reduce the $9 million deficit?
• Eliminate all regular education preschool
• Consolidate High Schools
• Eliminate approximately 217 Positions
o 11 administrative positions, including principals and assistant principals (four
from central office)
o 163 teachers, librarians, and counselors (includes, music, art, preschool and PE)
o 10 cleaners and custodians
o 18 paraprofessionals
o 11 secretaries and switchboard operators
o 2 security officers
o 2 central office support staff
• Other Cost Savings
o Textbooks
o Supplemental Reductions – both athletic and academic
o Defer Building Repairs
o Eliminate Vehicle Replacement
o Direct Deposit
o 5% Salary Reduction for all Central Office Staff to include the Superintendent
and Treasurer
3. What if the levy fails?
In addition to the $9 million in cuts already listed, there will be a second $9 million deficit for
the 2011-12 school year. If the levy fails, a second round of cuts will be made during 2011
similar to those that are being made now. An additional 200 administrative, teaching and
support staff positions will be eliminated. Class sizes will increase, fine arts will be eliminated,
and other options to fund athletics will need to be established. The district will no longer be able
to offer certain electives, resulting in deficits to the curriculum.

3. What if it passes?
If it passes, the district will have the ability to reinstate the preschool and instrumental music
program at the elementary and middle school level. Cuts to teaching positions will not be as
deep. Unfortunately, levy funds will not be received until February or March of 2011.
Therefore, limited staff positions will be reinstated during the 2010-11 school year. Instead, the
majority of staff rehired will begin during the 2011-12 school year.