Trish Bennett, Editor
CIRCLEVILLE – Logan Elm Local School officials are breathing a sigh of relief after voters agreed to renew two tax levies Tuesday on the May ballot.
The renewal income tax levy of 1 percent for five years beginning Jan. 1, 2016, for current operating expenses was approved with 1,243 votes for the levy and 709 votes against. These figures represent voters from both Pickaway and Hocking counties.
The renewal 2.6 mill levy for five years commencing in 2015 to providing for emergency requirements for the school district passed with 1,237 votes for the levy and 710 votes against. These figures also represent both Pickaway and Hocking County voters.
“I’m really overwhelmed to think of the support we received,” said Tim Williams, superintendent of Logan Elm Local Schools. “I’m excited for our staff, our students and our community.”
The renewal levies will effectively extend two existing levies for another five years that generate about 17 percent of the district’s annual budget – $2.3 million for the income tax and about $812,000 for the emergency levy.
Williams said he is a worrier by nature, and the district’s recent losses at the polls in attempts at a bond levy for construction of new schools made him wonder about Tuesday’s outcome. He said he was very grateful for the district to have received the voters’ approval.
“We try to do a good job and try to be fiscally responsible,” he said.
The levies on Tuesday’s ballot are the only ones currently supporting the Logan Elm district, Williams said.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
