Yellow Springs board approves 10-year substitute levy after heated public comments

The Yellow Springs Exempted Village Board voted unanimously to approve a resolution of necessity placing a 10‑year substitute operating levy on the November ballot, after residents and union representatives urged trustees to act to shore up school funding.

The board approved the resolution in a roll-call vote after more than an hour of public comment and a detailed presentation of the district's five-year forecast by district finance staff. The measure combines two existing emergency levies into a single substitute levy that the district says will preserve operating funds used for teacher salaries, services and classroom materials.

The discussion opened with a string of public comments in which teachers and parents urged clear, unified communication about the levy. Naomi Hyatt, president of the Yellow Springs Education Association, told the board the union wants a board that "is unified in their presentation of support" and warned that "there is misinformation and distrust" that could imperil the campaign. Eli Hurwitz, who identified himself as YSEA secretary, criticized the board for how an internal investigation was handled and said, "The district spent $3,600 on an investigation that showed exactly what I said it would," arguing those funds could have been used for instructional resources.

District finance staff presented the five‑year forecast and explained why board leaders see a substitute levy as necessary to avoid continued deficit spending. The treasurer (speaking as staff member to the board) described forecast assumptions including enrollment projections from a consultant and rising benefit costs, and cautioned that repeated short-term substitute levies can forfeit new-construction growth that otherwise would increase tax revenues over time.

Board members debated two main options: a five-year substitute levy and a 10-year substitute levy. Supporters of a shorter term said it keeps the public engaged and allows earlier reconsideration; supporters of a longer term argued it provides salary and program stability for staff and avoids frequent return-to-the-voter campaigns. One trustee noted the trade-off: repeatedly substituting a short-term levy can compound a loss of growth from new construction.

After deliberation the board adopted the resolution instructing staff to place the 10‑year substitute levy on the ballot with an effective tax year of 2024. The board recorded a unanimous vote in favor of the full resolution at the conclusion of the meeting.

The vote begins the formal process toward an election; the district will publish fact sheets and other factual materials about the levy, and trustees asked staff to gather frequently asked questions from board members so the treasurer can prepare public-facing, factual explanations. The district also signaled it will continue outreach to clarify how the substitute levy would affect local taxpayers and how revenues would be used.

Votes at a glance
- Resolution of necessity for a 10-year substitute levy: approved (final roll-call vote recorded as 5-0 among trustees present).

What happens next
The board instructed staff to prepare ballot language and supporting factual materials for public distribution; the measure will appear on the November ballot pending clerical steps and legal review. The district will continue updating the five‑year forecast and produce outreach materials to explain how levy revenue will be used and the timing of collections.