ANCHOR OUR
FUTURE.
2026 Operating Levy Renewal
Vote November 3, 2026
Early Voting Has Started!
Why Does the District Need the Levy?
An operating levy provides funds that go towards day-to-day operations of a school district. Without the passing of this levy the school would have less operating revenue than it did in 2008. As costs of nearly everything have increased since 2008, this would certainly mean the school district would need to make further reductions.
What Happens If It Doesn’t Pass?
The district has indicated that approximately $4.25 million would need to be removed from the annual operating budget. This represents nearly 16% of the school's annual operating budget.
Below is an example of what losing 16% of the operating budget could look like.
39
STAFF POSITIONS
Approximately 39 positions could be eliminated under the district's current projection.
ALL
Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities across the district could be eliminated under the current projection
State Minimum
Transportation
Transportation would move to state minimum busing. Busing would be eliminated for students living within 2 miles of the schools.
What will it cost?
Due to recent legislature changes even by passing this levy Vermilion homeowners would see a reduction in their property tax bills.
A Vermilion homeowner would save an estimated $119 per $100,000 of home value in property taxes per year.
$119
Estimated Savings of
per $100,000 of Assessed Home Value
What Has the District Already Done?
9 teaching positions reduced
1 counselor position reduced
4 administrative positions reduced
1 mechanic position reduced
1 custodial position reduced
These positions were reduced to ensure the district could remain within budget.
Vermilion has the lowest effective tax rate in Lorain or Erie Counties
Even with passing this levy, Vermilion would have an estimated effective tax rate of 23.04 while neighboring cities like Huron (26.22) and Amherst (30.63) have higher effective rates.
A levy we are already comfortable with
The first form of this levy was introduced in 2006 as a 5 year emergency levy. Following in 2008 a new 5 year emergency levy was also passed. In 2011 those two levies were combined into a single renewal levy. From there this has been renewed every five years since.
Frequently asked questions
Voting Information
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October 5, 2026: Voter registration deadline
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October 6, 2026: Last day to request an absentee ballot for vote-by-mail
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October 26, 2026: Last day for absentee ballot to be mailed
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November 3, 2026: Election day
Early voting began October 6!
Vermilion Local School District spans both Erie and Lorain counties, so be sure to visit the Board of Elections for the county in which you are registered.
See the links below for early voting information for your county!
Erie County voters:
https://www.boe.ohio.gov/erie/
Lorain County voters:
https://www.boe.ohio.gov/lorain/
Before you cast your ballot, we encourage you to learn about the renewal levy, ask questions, look at the numbers and understand what is at stake. And feel free to join on us Facebook to engage in the discussion!
Then make your voice heard.