Shawnee Levy

Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote and supported our community on Election Day!

Your decision helps ensure that Shawnee Local School District continues to provide strong educational opportunities for our students for the next ten years.

We’re grateful for your trust, your voice, and your commitment to our schools.

Strong Schools. Strong Community.

Our schools are more than classrooms — they’re where friendships form, values are built, and the next generation of Shawnee leaders gets its start.

A strong school system helps keep our community thriving, our neighborhoods connected, and our local property values stable. When schools succeed, the whole community benefits.

Take a few minutes to review your ballot before Election Day, Tuesday, November 4, and make sure you know where to vote:
https://www.boe.ohio.gov/allen/

Together, we can continue investing in what matters most — our kids and our community’s future.

🗳 Make Sure You Know Where to Vote!

Election Day is Tuesday, November 4. Before you head out to vote, take a minute to confirm your polling location — some locations may have changed since the last election.

✅ Check your polling place here: https://allen.boe.ohio.gov/
(Allen County Board of Elections website)

Polls are open from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM on Election Day.

Remember to bring an acceptable form of photo ID and plan a few extra minutes in case of lines.

There are several important local offices and renewal levies on this year’s ballot, including the Shawnee Schools Renewal Levy, located at the bottom of the ballot.

Every local vote matters. Make your plan to vote today!

Polling Location Search Resources for Ohio Voters.

Where to Find the Shawnee Schools Renewal Levy on Your Ballot 🗳️

Election Day is Tuesday, November 4.

The Shawnee Schools Renewal Levy is located near the end of the ballot under “Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal) – Shawnee Local School District.”

Every vote counts, and your ballot includes several important local offices and other renewal levies that impact our community.

Make your plan to vote and be sure to complete the entire ballot.

This is a sample ballot provided by the Allen County Board of Elections for reference.

The renewal levy supports what matters most in Shawnee Schools:

• Teachers and classroom instruction
• Student transportation and safety
• Extracurricular programs and activities

This 10-year renewal keeps those essential services in place with no increase in taxes.

Supporting the renewal means supporting the students and staff who make Shawnee great.

Shawnee Schools is on solid financial ground.

Under the leadership of Treasurer Chris Cross and Superintendent Don Diglia, the district has closed a $1 million annual budget gap and is projected to remain balanced through 2027.

The renewal levy on the November 4 ballot keeps this progress going with no increase in taxes.

Fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability are what keep Shawnee strong.

Transparency. Accountability. Stability.

If you haven’t seen it yet, Shawnee School Board Vice President Todd Washam recently shared a powerful letter in The Lima News about the incredible progress Shawnee Schools has made under new leadership.

✅ After years of challenges, Shawnee has turned things around — closing a $1 million annual budget gap and moving toward a balanced budget for 2026 and 2027.
✅ Treasurer Chris Cross and Superintendent Don Diglia are leading with honesty, clear communication, and monthly public budget updates.
✅ Most importantly, this 10-year renewal levy will keep our district on a stable path — without increasing taxes.

You can read the full letter here: https://www.limaohio.com/opinion/2025/10/08/letter-shawnee-schools-lead-with-transparency-and-accountability/

If you value transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of tax dollars, this renewal levy is one more step toward continued progress for our community.

Letter: Shawnee schools lead with transparency and accountability Many of us are having conversations about levy language, property taxes and fiscal responsibility. Without transparency and clear communications, we continue to question the impacts on us and whether our tax dollars are being put to good use.

Why This Renewal Levy Matters More Than Ever

This November, Shawnee Schools has a 10-year renewal levy on the ballot and it couldn’t come at a more important time.

Property taxes feel out of control, because they are!

💰 Ohio families now pay the 8th-highest property taxes in the nation.

But our schools aren’t to blame. For decades, state tax policy has shifted the burden away from businesses and the state and onto homeowners.

📊 In 1991, homeowners and farmers paid 47% of school property taxes.
Today, that number is nearly 70%.

📉 Since 2000, state education revenue has declined after inflation, and per-pupil funding has risen only 6% in 22 years.

🏫 Through it all, schools like Shawnee have shared services, consolidated operations, and stretched every dollar to keep providing great education for our kids.

That’s why this renewal levy - with no tax increase - is so important!

It simply continues the funding our district already depends on to maintain strong programs, quality teachers, and safe learning environments.

The balance is broken. Families deserve relief, and communities need strong schools, safety, and services.

✅ Talk to your legislator.
✅ Share this with your neighbors.
✅ And this November, Vote FOR the Shawnee Schools Renewal Levy.