Welcome!
We are pleased to introduce
The Granville Common Sense Coalition
Our Mission: To preserve American tradition in our schools, government and community.
Our Current Issue: We opposed the School Income Tax as presented in November because it was PERMANENT, and not TEMPORARY, as the “RENEWAL” implied. Most of us were prepared to support an Income Tax for 5 year periods, which would allow the community to weigh in regularly, or for the Board to adjust their ask as appropriate.
But we’ve learned more since November and question the need for a .75 Income Tax. We’ve listed some of our concerns below, with links you may want to check out.
The School Board, Treasurer and Superintendent of our school district are great sources of information, and you may want to reach out to them with your questions. You can find their contact info here:
(click for) Board of Education Contact Info
Postcard to Voters
We recently mailed a postcard to Granville voters listing our main concerns about making this levy. This is what it said:
Did you know?
- In the November 2022 election cycle, it was noted that there was an $18,000,000 cash balance.
- The current .75 tax is bringing in 30% more money than was forecast when implemented in 2018. It generated $2,000,000 more than expected just last year. The all income tax includes all income except Social Security.
To learn more about this, listen to the citizen comment at the December Board meeting, begin at the 25 minute mark:
[Click here to watch Board Meeting] - When this income tax was introduced in 2018, it was proposed by the school board to be for only 5 years – NOT a renewal OR permanent – but temporary.
- The Board of Education has acknowledged that a bond issue and property tax levy will be needed in the near future. There will also be a county property tax assessment in 2023 which could increase your property taxes by 20-30%.
- During the demanding Coronavirus years, other local school districts used funding to thank and reward staff members working with challenging protocols, providing education remotely and in-person for all students. Granville leadership chose to give bonuses to administration and NOT to teachers, custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and secretaries.
- The Board of Education’s proposed budget includes building a new elementary school on property to be acquired, likely in Union Township, to address future growth. This could divide our community, staff and our youngest population.
- These are unstable economic times and residents’ budgets are stretched. Last fall’s levy FAILED because it was disingenuously called a “renewal“ even though it was really a “permanent” tax. So, the Board of Education requested a special election this May, costing taxpayers $40,000. We community members bear the cost of poor decision-making. Why not ask for a percentage that is truly needed and not one that is bringing in excess income beyond projected needs?
- The Board of Education will still have time to craft a new plan and put forth a common sense budget, since the current levy runs through this coming fall. The Granville Common Sense Coalition recommends voting NO on the .75 income tax renewal.
After reading the above, is .75 really necessary?
Vote May 2, 2023.
What’s Next?
These are the kind of Common Sense issues we hope to come together to address. We’re just getting started, and as a grass roots group of local citizens, we’re still figuring it out. If you have questions, comments, suggestions, or would like to join our email list, email us at info@GCSCoaliton.com
If you’d like to support us, consider making a donation or getting involved.
If you’d like to make a donation online, click the button below:
(Clicking the DONATE button will take you to a WinRed portal, from which the funds will be directed to our PAC. The system will suggest recurring payments, but they are not, of course required. Please note that WinRed is our payment processor only, and we are NOT affiliated with any national organization, PAC, or candidate.)
If you prefer to mail a check, send to:
Granville Common Sense Coalition
PO Box 49
Granville OH 43023
Paid for by The Granville Common Sense Coalition.
The Granville Common Sense Coalition is made up entirely of Granville residents who are voters and taxpayers. To contact our leadership team, email info@GCSCoaliton.com