Voters rejected the Batavia and West Clermont school district tax levies as well as the New Richmond Village tax levy in the special election May 3.

“We knew it was an uphill battle, we knew we were asking people to make sacrifices but that is not the kids’ fault,” said Gary Brooks, superintendent at West Clermont Local School District. “They will lose opportunities.”

West Clermont residents voted against adding an additional tax for the purpose of avoiding an operation deficit. The levy would have been 7.9 mills, or $0.79 for each $100 of valuation. The tax levy failed 60.55 to 39.45 percent, with 6,882 citizens voting against the levy and 4,483 voting for the levy.

The Batavia Local School District levy was a bit closer. It failed 54.95 to 45.05 percent, with 982 citizens voting against the levy and 805 voting for the levy. The levy would have been 6.9 mills, or $0.69 for each $100 of valuation.

“We’re disappointed but we understand times are tough,” said Jill Grubb. “We are certainly going to spend a lot of time analyzing the state budget when it is finalized and then have those hard discussions about our next steps.”

Dozens of people campaigned for the tax levy and Michael Enriquez, president of the Batavia Board of Education, said he is grateful to those who spearheaded the campaigns and supported the levy.

“We are very thankful for those who did support the levy,” Enriquez said. “We are sure the current economic environment was a big factor. We have to assess where we are going to go now.”

Both school districts will be forced to make tough decisions because the tax levies for their districts did not pass. Enriquez said the board will determine if it wants to put the tax levy on the November ballot and will examine the possibility of future budget cuts.

Brooks said he will be forced to make an additional $5 million in cuts. He said they are looking at cutting 40 to 80 employees, mostly those just beginning their careers, and will also cut some transportation, entertainment, extra-curricular activities and other programs.

“If districts like ours lose resources kids will never see a live play, never see a marching band, never have an opportunity to be on a starting team, won’t have an opportunity to be in a small classroom,” Brooks said. “Those are things lost for those kids, they don’t get to do high school or middle school over.”

The New Richmond Village tax levy also failed 56.38 to 43.62 percent, with 159 citizens voting against the levy and 123 citizens voting for the levy. The levy would have been $.30 for each $100 valuation.