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Yellow Springs Voters Reject School Funding Levy

April Laissle
/
WYSO

Yellow Springs voters have overwhelmingly rejected a levy that would have funded an $18.5 million new school construction and renovation project in the village.

The 4.5 mil levy and quarter percent income tax increase was rejected by 63 percent of voters. Greene County Board of Elections Director Lynn McCoy says the issue prompted higher than average voter turnout.

“Yellow Springs turned out at about 50 percent, but countywide it was only about 22 percent, so that’s a huge difference. School levies can drive a little higher interest but still looking back at some of the other school issues we’ve had on the ballot, turnout was still at about 35 percent in other areas around the county.”

The proposed tax hike created significant controversy in the village in the run-up to Tuesday’s primary. Many Yellow Springs residents expressed concerns about the levy’s affordability. Proponents said the extra money was needed to pay for necessary building renovations.

The levy was the result of a nearly 18 month-long effort by the school district. There’s no word yet on whether district officials will explore other options to fund building improvements.

Read more about the school levy here