EAST PALESTINE — Among the 34 issues on the November ballot, voters in the East Palestine District will be asked to consider a renewal levy for the East Palestine City Schools.

“The East Palestine community has continually supported our students and staff, and we are grateful for this partnership,” East Palestine Superintendent James Rook said. “On the upcoming November ballot, voters will see a request to renew our existing levy.”

Rook stressed the 0.5% earned income tax levy is not a new levy.

“This is not a new tax,” he said. “Rather, it is a renewal applicable to earned income. The renewal allows us to maintain staffing and general operating expenses. As always, we encourage all residents to educate themselves about what this renewal means for our schools and our students.”

In July, the school board passed at Rook’s recommendation, a resolution to submit the renewal levy to the Columbiana County Board of Elections.

The levy is a renewal of the levy passed in the March general election of 2020. That 0.5% earned income tax levy was passed by just 10 votes — 747-737.

The additional funds generated by the levy allowed the district to continue to offer different educational programs and avoid cuts to programs and personnel due to a lack of funding.

The renewal remains imperative to avoiding cuts and maintaining the programs, especially as the true impact of the 2023 train derailment of future income tax revenue is yet to be seen.

selverd@mojonews.com