Leaders from the Vermilion Local School District met with the Rotary Club of Vermilion at Ritter Public Library on Thursday to present a comprehensive overview of the upcoming $47 million bond levy set to appear on the May 6, 2025 ballot.
The meeting, which began at noon and lasted about an hour, featured a formal presentation by Treasurer Justin Klingshirn, who outlined the district’s current facility challenges, long-deferred maintenance issues, and the specifics of the proposed bond levy. Superintendent Dr. David Hile, Assistant Superintendent Wes Weaver, and Levy Committee Member Read Wakefield were also in attendance and available to answer questions from the audience.
District leaders emphasized the scale and urgency of the repairs now required across the district. Vermilion has not passed a permanent improvement levy or bond issue for its schools, and as a result, all building maintenance for decades has been paid directly from the general fund — the same fund used to cover staff salaries and student services. Klingshirn said that practice is no longer financially sustainable.
Breakdown of the Bond Plan
The proposed 30-year, $47 million bond would fund projects including:
- Roof replacements, including at Vermilion High School
- Restroom renovations in all buildings
- Water line and HVAC upgrades
- Security and door access improvements
- Science lab modernization
- Auditorium and lighting updates
- A complete rebuild of the district’s 77-year-old bus garage
Klingshirn noted that some repairs — such as water infiltration behind exterior walls — are structurally critical but have been delayed for years due to lack of capital funds.
What It Costs and Who Decides
If approved, the levy would cost homeowners approximately $28 per month for a home valued at $250,000. Klingshirn explained that while the bond issue would fund capital needs, it would also relieve pressure on the general fund, which currently absorbs maintenance costs that are typically covered by separate capital funding streams in peer districts.
Although school administrators are legally restricted from advocating for or against a ballot issue, members of the levy committee have said the funding would help preserve educational quality, maintain community property values, and ensure that facilities remain safe and functional for years to come.
Early voting is already underway, and absentee ballots can be requested from the Erie or Lorain County Boards of Elections.
🎧 Want to hear the full discussion? Listen to the meeting here. (Insert link when available.)
Editor’s Note: Vermilion Daily does not take a position on this or any other ballot issue. While endorsements were made under a previous publication name, Vermilion Daily’s reporting on levies, elections, and public policy remains focused on transparency, accuracy, and public access to information.
