Welcome to the Wauseon Levy website

Continue the Excellence!

Thank you For SUPPORTING ISSUE 4 on May 3rd!

1.75% Earned Income Tax Levy

Wauseon students deserve the best opportunities for their future. So does the Wauseon community.

We are proud of how our schools have weathered the challenges over the past year while keeping student needs first. Now, it is critically important that we come together to address our schools’ pressing financial needs – before it is too late – and help build our community’s future.

On May 3rd, the Wauseon community will have the chance to vote on an income tax levy, used by over 200 school districts throughout the state of Ohio. These funds will affect the income of residents, but not retirees or affect property taxes. The last time the district received additional funds was 2011. As you can see from the chart below, Wauseon consistently has had the lowest local funding compared to other NWOAL schools. Many hard choices and cuts have been or will need to be made if this levy is not successful.

On May 3, 2022, VOTE FOR Wauseon Schools on Issue 4. #WauseonPride #ContinueTheExcellence

Past Community levy informational meeting videos:

Monday, April 4th: Crossroads Church at 7PM

Monday, April 14th: American Legion at 7PM

Tuesday, April 19th: WES/WMS Cafetorium at 7PM

Thursday, April 21st: St. Caspar at 7PM *This meeting was presented in Spanish

Tuesday, April 26th: True North Church at 7PM

Wauseon students writing

Why is this levy needed?

  • The state and federal funding for Wauseon has been cut by approximately $1,000,000 since 2016.

  • Wauseon has not received additional funding from the community in over 10 years, since 2011.

  • Cost of services, supplies and state and federal unfunded mandates continue to increase.

  • Wauseon School District’s “local effort” has provided funding at the lowest level compared to the NWOAL schools for the last 12 years.

WHAT CUTS WILL BE MADE FOR 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR:

School bus

Transportation:

On February 4th, 2022, the school board approved that school transportation will be cut back to the state minimum requirements. This means less bus routes and more reliance on family transportation. If passed, full transportation will be reinstated.

students cheering

Extracurriculars -Athletics, Clubs and Activities

On January 10th, 2022, the school board made the difficult, but necessary, choice to eliminate ALL athletics, clubs and activities for the 2022-23 school year. If passed, these will be reinstated.

hands raised in classroom

Staff Reductions:

There is a financial need to eliminate 22 staff positions from all areas of the district. This can lead to reduced services and larger class sizes.

students working in science lab

Increased Prices for Students & Families

Because of reduced budgets in all departments and buildings, there could be increased student fees, meal prices, and Chromebook insurance. Students will face the price of reduced opportunities and activities when compared to their peers in other districts.

STUDENTS FIRST!

Extracurriculars allow students to build relationships or make new friends, learn valuable life skills, practice their skills and crafts, and grow as a young adult and person. Don't let the lights go out on these valuable experiences for all students and the Wauseon Community!

VOTE FOR ISSUE 4!

Levy_ Theater Video WITH VOTE FOR 4.mp4
Levy Video 2 with Jack and VOTE FOR..mp4

SO WHY SHOULD I VOTE FOR THE LEVY?

Passing of the May levy would allow for the following to occur:

  • Reinstate full transportation levels for all students

  • Reinstate full athletics, clubs, activities and staffing

  • Maintain current level of course offerings for students

  • Maintain contracted services including special education

  • Retain our high-quality teachers and staff

  • Pay utilities and other fixed costs

  • Consistently provide lower class sizes in grades K-5.

  • Increase high school electives such as industrial technology and financial literacy.

  • Increase middle school electives such as Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) and financial literacy.

  • Return the Special Education teacher population to pre-levy levels.

Wauseon Schools is committed to developing the whole child focused on equity, partnerships and quality schools.

Equity

Each student, regardless of personal or social circumstances, has access to educational experiences necessary for individual success.

Partnerships

A strong connection exists among the school, families, community partners and other stakeholders to share the responsibility of educating students and preparing them for the future.

Quality Schools

Each building is committed to serving and supporting students using a whole-child approach, focusing on excellent instruction, diverse learning opportunities, safe learning environments and shared accountability.

#WAUSEONPRIDE #CONTINUETHEEXCELLENCE