Alexander Local Schools' tax levy fails by hair-thin 21 votes
ALBANY, Ohio — Alexander Local School District’s proposed 0.75% tax levy failed by a slim 21-vote margin, according to unofficial election results from the Athens, Meigs and Vinton county boards of elections. The levy was meant to benefit the school district by addressing a $1.5 million budget shortfall , according to previous reporting by The Messenger. While the levy passed with Athens County voters, it failed in Vinton and Meigs counties. According to the election boards’ data, 2,428 voters rejected the levy and 2,407 voters approved it — a 21-vote margin. Now, the school district faces uncertainty. In October, Alexander Local School District Superintendent Will Hampton told The Messenger the district is in an unsustainable financial situation . “We’re at a point where we know we can’t sustain where we are,” Hampton said. “Without it [the levy], we have to make changes to try to try to save our district some money, save our community even more money.” With this failure at the polls, students and staff will likely see cuts in the near future to field trips, busing, clubs and athletic options, as well as increased fees for technology, athletics and clubs.
