By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Streetsboro High School has officially reinstated all levels of athletic competition for one year.

As part of financial cutbacks as the result of its school levy failing for the third time on May 5, the district’s Board of Education originally voted to approve the elimination of middle school and junior varsity sports for the 2026-27 school year.

However, middle school sports were reinstated in June and JV was reinstated following an approval vote at the July 9 Board of Education meeting.

“We received notification from the Portage County Auditor’s office that the district would be receiving a portion of unexpended money from the Real Estate Appraisal Fund,” Streetsboro Superintendent Cynthia Deevers said. “Every six to eight years, the County Auditor’s office reviews their information to ensure that county appraisal needs are being met. Once those needs are met, the Auditor’s office divides up the remaining funds amongst the political subdivisions in the county.”

As part of that process, Deevers said that Streetsboro City Schools received a one-time allotment of $453,161.39.

“The decision was made to apply the real-estate appraisal return towards athletics for the upcoming school year, with the understanding that booster groups will work to collect donations that will cover athletic costs moving forward,” Deevers said.

“This (real-estate appraisal) money is not a multi-year solution to the district’s funding needs,” Deevers added. “While it does cover the cost of athletics for the upcoming school year, the district continues to need new money in order to maintain current levels of service both in athletics and academics.”

The district’s two levies (3.6 mill operating levy and 1.5 mill property tax) are scheduled to be back on the ballot in November.

In preparation for an uncertain future, a group called the “Rocket Boosters” formed in June, with an immediate priority to raise funds to help cover the costs of all sports in the district.

The organization’s initial objective was to spark discussion to reinstate JV sports.

Now that the district has moved forward with proper funding for athletics for 2026-27, the Rocket Boosters’ focus will be on fundraising efforts in case November’s levies are voted down again. The group is scheduled to host its first meeting on July 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Streetsboro Annex Building.

In a letter to district administration, the Rocket Boosters said, “We stand united in our commitment to ensuring that current and future student-athletes continue to benefit from the lessons, relationships and opportunities that participation in athletics provides.”

The failed levy in May also had additional impacts on the athletic landscape of the district, with the decision to eliminate its full-time athletic secretary and also reduced its athletic director’s position from full time to part time.