School officials discuss importance of funding via property taxes, concerns over reform efforts

School officials discuss importance of funding via property taxes and concerns over reform efforts In May, only about one in three school levies in Ohio were approved in the primary, compared to the year previous when almost 2/3rds of levies were approved, causing some districts to wonder whether, among growing calls to reform or even abolish property taxes, voters are tiring of funding public education via tax hikes at the ballot box. But most public schools rely on these levies and property taxes to fund essential services from salaries to building maintenance to future improvements. Today, as our Ideastream Explores: Property Taxes series continues, we'll hear from local school leaders, a tax researcher and our education reporter, about the role property taxes play in funding Ohio's schools and what it could mean if they are reduced via reform. We'll also talk about the movement hoping to end property taxes entirely. Guests:- Conor Morris, Education Reporter, Ideastream Public Media- Sara Elaqad, Board Chair, Cleveland Metropolitan School District- Scott Russ, Board President, Canton City School District- Aditi Srivastava, Tax Researcher, Policy Matters Ohio "The Menu: Grocery Stores" Several weeks ago, it was announced that the Heinen's grocery store in Downtown Cleveland, located in the historic Cleveland Trust bank building, would be closing its doors. The store reported that it lost $18 million over the 11 years it was open. That closure means that Constantino's Market, which has been operating in the Warehouse District for just over 20 years, will be the sole grocery store serving Downtown residents. The closure raises bigger questions about the profitability of grocery stores, how much of a population is required to keep a store afloat and the overall changing habits of shoppers. That's the focus of this week's installment of "The Menu," Ideastream's series produced with Cleveland Magazine, focusing on the region's food scene. Guests:- Andrew Revy, CEO, Constantino's Market- Dillon Stewart, Editor, Cleveland Magazine- Mark Rulli, Co-owner, Rulli Brothers Italian Markets and Grocery Stores