YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Board of Education plans to place a renewal operating levy on the Nov. 3 ballot to continue raising $5.2 million annually for day-to-day needs of the district.

The board voted 6-1 Tuesday to submit the levy request to the Mahoning County Auditor’s Office, which will calculate the exact millage and amount needed to maintain $5.2 million a year. The current levy expires at the end of the year.

“We have reviewed the financial situation of the district and need for getting this levy on the ballot,” board member Ronald Shadd said.

While the district had a $23 million surplus three years ago, it faces up to a $29 million deficit without the levy, he said.

“The levy’s passage will be the community’s fair share to the children’s education. We must ensure those dollars are used in a way to sustain our district,” Shadd said. “There needs to be accountability to be able to balance our budget and to provide our students with the education they deserve.”

Justin Jennings, CEO of Youngstown City Schools, said the board will need to act before the Aug. 5 deadline to get an issue to the Mahoning County Board of Elections. Another meeting will be scheduled right after the auditor’s office certifies the millage.

Jennings said cuts have been made in various areas and staffing with more cuts planned. He said the district will be very transparent on what needs to be done to help the district financially.

“We need to look at ways to generate revenue for the district including finding ways to attract students back to our school district. We are being fiscally responsible and must show we are being good stewards of our funds to move the district forward,” he said.

Jennings had requested the board place the levy on the ballot. It was first approved in 2008 and was renewed in 2012 and 2015, according to Jennings.

Shadd has said he has some concerns that even if the renewal passes in November, the district will still be facing a deficit in two years.

He has said voters should have a plan on how the Academic Distress Commission and the CEO will address the deficit that was created over the last three years,

“It must be remembered that when the CEO and ADC model began in Youngstown schools, the district had a $23 million budget surplus,” he said. “Voters have the right the know what the district’s plans are.”

Board member Jacqueline Adair, who cast the lone “no” vote, said she wanted to know what savings will occur with schools being closed and having online learning.

She said if students are not in school, there should be savings in busing and supplies.

“We need to look at the savings that can be realized if schools are closed,” Adair said.

She said she wanted to see what other cuts are in place and noted that all residents and businesses should be held responsible for helping the district and its students.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com