PRAMA, Ohio — On Tuesday, May 6, the Prama community, Parma Heights, and Seven Hills delivered yet another blow to the ambitious plans of local schools by rejecting Tax Measure No. 22. This defeat, the third in the past seven years, left educators puzzled and the future of the school district in question, as without new revenue, Parma faces the prospect of painful cuts and deteriorating education quality.
According to the final but unofficial results from the Cuyahoga County Election Board, 59.28% of voters (8,947 people) voted against the tax increase, while only 40.72% (6,147 people) supported it. “We are very disappointed,” admitted Charles Smalec, the Parma City Schools superintendent, whose voice trembled with disillusionment. “We believed our campaign was well thought out and aimed at those who, we thought, would support us. But the result was devastating.”
The proposed 10-year, 6.9 mil tax was supposed to bring the district $23 million, which would have cost a homeowner of $100,000 just $20.13 per month. These funds could have provided stable funding through 2031, supporting programs that, according to Smalec, helped the district achieve significant progress. “Our test results have improved, and we expanded offerings for students,” he emphasized. “But without new funds since 2011, we are in a difficult position.”
This defeat is not new for Parma. Similar attempts to introduce a surtax failed in 2017 and 2018, further deepening the district’s financial chasm. Smalec, who will leave his position at the end of the school year to lead the Pickerington schools, warned that the community will feel the effects of this decision. “The district will revisit this issue in November,” he assured. “We hope to keep the tax at 6.9 mils, but it will all depend on state funding and our five-year projections.”
Without a new tax, Parma faces a grim outlook. Smalec painted a bleak picture: classes, currently with 22–24 students, could grow to 30 or more. Mandatory credits for high school seniors could be reduced to five per year, and extracurricular activities — from sports to arts clubs — will become inaccessible due to “astronomical” fees. “We cannot ignore the approaching fiscal cliff,” he warned. “If we do nothing, by 2028, the deficit will be catastrophic.”
Insider sources reveal that teachers and administrators are already preparing for difficult conversations about layoffs and program cuts. Parents who supported the tax express outrage, pointing out that the community underestimates the long-term consequences for children. “This is not just about money,” said one mother, who wished to remain anonymous. “It’s about the future of our city.”
As Parma prepares for another attempt to persuade voters in November, Smalec urged the community to consider their priorities. “We are not asking for anything extraordinary,” he said. “We are asking to invest in our children.” But after three consecutive defeats, the question remains whether the community is willing to listen — and whether it will be too late to act when the financial crisis finally hits Parma’s schools.
