The Editorial Board endorses Issue 51, a 9.9-mill operating levy that will be on the Nov. 4 ballot.
If passed, the levy would fund essential day-to-day operations such as employee salaries, Chromebooks, utilities, textbooks, transportation and classroom materials — the things that impact students and staff directly, every single day.
These dollars would also keep alive sports, arts and clubs — the experiences that make Shaker a community, not just a school.
Issue 51 must not fail Nov. 4. If it does, the district will face a projected $12.46 million shortfall and could enter a fiscal emergency. That means fewer teachers in classrooms, larger class sizes, eliminated course offerings and extracurriculars and fewer supports for students who need them most.
Some reductions have already begun; last year the district cut three of its five English Language Learner positions, absorbed the Theatre Arts Department into Performing Arts and eliminated art teachers at Lomond and reduced the Ludlow Preschool nurse position to on-call status. Without the levy, the list of cuts will only grow.
Some residents believe that the levy can be delayed until May 2026 or beyond. But, the timing is critical. Waiting past November increases the risk of fiscal instability, and the district could even face state oversight if it reaches fiscal emergency status. According to Ohio Auditor Keith Faber, “Following a declaration by the Auditor of State, a Financial Planning and Supervision Commission is created that may assume all or part of the powers of the Board of Education. The commission develops a financial plan to alleviate the school district’s financial crisis.” When the state oversees spending, it cuts without considering the unique features of a district such as Shaker Heights.
Some residents also feel that instead of cutting programs, the district should choose to offer them on a pay-to-play basis. But, the few hundred dollars the district could charge families for their football or marching band students would not cover the $12.46 million shortfall the district could face if the levy doesn’t pass.
Reducing travel is also among the solutions some residents have. However, because the majority of the cost falls on parents, the cost of travel to the district is minimal. Cutting something as educational and impactful as travel, especially when the cost is so small, would take away not only from the enrichment students gain through travel, but also the experience of learning about other cultures and histories.
Federal and state funding is no guarantee either. The district has relied in the past on federal support, but federal aid has largely expired and proposals from the Trump administration aimed at cutting K-12 funding would reduce Shaker’s budget by an estimated $760,951 in 2026. That’s money that otherwise would go directly into classrooms, supporting teachers, programs and student resources. Without Issue 51, our community cannot make up for
these gaps.
In short, Issue 51 protects our schools, our teachers and the experiences that make education at Shaker unique. A “no” vote doesn’t just stall progress; it threatens the very programs and staff that students rely on.
For the sake of our classrooms, our teachers and the opportunities our students deserve, The Shakerite strongly urges voters to support Issue 51 this November.
