BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio — Union Local School officials say they plan to try again to pass a school levy, despite the most recent measure being defeated by a two-to-one margin in the recent election and voters’ rejection of two other levies in the past few years.
Administrators noted that maintaining school buildings in a state of good repair will become increasingly challenging under current funding levels. They emphasized the importance of community support to ensure the district can continue providing safe and well-maintained facilities for students.
This recent defeat follows a pattern of voter resistance to large funding measures for the district. In 2024, voters rejected a $34 million bond issue intended for a variety of infrastructure improvements. That followed a 2023 vote in which the community turned down a $62 million bond measure that also included proposed improvements to athletic facilities.
The district has not yet announced a timeline for when the next levy attempt will be proposed, but officials say they will continue working to secure funding to maintain and improve school facilities.
The Belmont County Board of Elections voted earlier in August to consolidate eight polling locations into a single site at Union Local High School. Voters from Flushing Village, Flushing Township, Belmont Village, Bethesda Village, Goshen Township, Kirkwood Township, Morristown Village and Union Township now all cast their ballots at Union Local High School.
