Voters Pass School Levy, Deny Former Councilman Seat

Voters in Kent overwhelmingly approved a 8.9-mill continuing operating levy for the Kent City Schools Tuesday while denying a former councilman a return to Kent City Council.

Voters approved Issue 8 by a vote of 2,201 for the levy to 1,407 against the levy, according to final but unofficial results from the Portage County Board of Elections. The victory came by an 800-vote margin.

The levy will raise $4.25 million annually for the school district, according to school officials. The tax increase will cost the owner of a house valued at $100,000 about $272 per year.

In the Democratic primary, a newcomer moves on to the general election in November for Kent City Council.

Incumbent at-large councilmen Roger Sidoti, an appointee, and Michael DeLeone will move on to the Nov. 5 election along with newcomer Melissa Long. Long has run unsuccessfully for council in the past.

Former councilman Robin Turner, who resigned in November 2012, was denied a shot at a return to council by receiving the least votes of the four candidates Tuesday. Only the top three move on to the November ballot.