Lexington schools renewal levy passes

LEXINGTON — Residents of the Lexington Local school district voted to renew a 10-year emergency levy during Tuesday’s primary election.

There were 1,937 votes in favor of the renewal and 1,818 against it, according to final, unofficial vote totals from the Richland County Board of Elections. Just over 31 percent of school district residents cast their vote.

The fixed-sum levy was first passed in 1999, according to district treasurer Jason Whitesel. It generates $2.7 million in operating revenue each year — about 10 percent of the district’s general fund.

Whitesel said the levy revenue makes up about 10 percent of the district’s general fund. The general fund pays for things like teacher salaries, curriculum, technology, instructional supplies, utilities and student transportation.

“Ten percent of any budget is significant, so it’s very important for our operations,” Whitesel said. 

Whitesel also said while the millage listed on the ballot was 6.4 mills, the effective collection rate will be 4.9 mills.

Thus, it will cost property owners $171.50 per $100,000 of appraised property value in 2024, prior to any statutory reductions. These reductions vary by property but may include the rollback, homestead deductions and owner-occupancy credits.

The levy renewal passed with less than 52 percent of voters in favor.

Supt. Jeremy Secrist said the close margin wasn’t a surprise. Tuesday’s renewal was the district’s first levy vote since new construction bond issues were passed. They also came right after many residents saw their property appraisals and taxes go up.

“We knew the vote would be close and the passage of the levy would be tough this time out,” Secrist said.

” There were misconceptions about this levy that we had to overcome from the start. Some thought that due to the reappraisals the school would no longer need this levy, and others who, despite the messaging to the contrary, believed this would increase their taxes. Neither of those were true.” 

Secrist also said he was extremely thankful for the community’s support and the hard work of the levy renewal committee.

“We all look forward to continuing to support the growth and learning of our students,” Secrist said.

“Lexington Local is a wonderful place for students to prepare for their futures. I say that both as the superintendent, and a parent.”

Whitesel said the district hasn’t put a new operating levy on the ballot since 2011. 

“Our community has always been supportive of our levies. We’ve never failed a renewal levy,” Whitesel said.

“We don’t take the support we receive from our community lightly, and we consistently look to make decisions to avoid having to ask for new operating money for as long as possible.”