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Do IT this week: Layering
Once again, local schools must cope with a flawed funding formula. They are back on the ballot with a persuasive case for voters
Published on Thursday, Oct 29, 2009
Issue 48: Barberton
Barberton is seeking renewal of an 8.75-mill levy that raises about $3.7 million a year for day-to-day expenses. The levy, which amounts to about 10 percent of the annual operating budget, will expire in 2010. Issue 48, a 10-year renewal, will not increase property taxes. On a house valued at $100,000, a homeowner still will pay about $22 a month. Barberton cannot afford to lose $3.7 million, a sum crucial to maintaining current school programs.
We recommend a vote for Issue 48.
Issue 49: Cuyahoga Falls
Issue 49 is a renewal request in Cuyahoga Falls for a levy that expires in 2010. It raises roughly $6 million a year, about 20 percent of the district's locally generated revenues. If approved, Issue 49, a 7.9-mill levy for five years, will not cost any more than it does now, about $19 a month for the owner of a $100,000 house.
The Falls district has trimmed its operating budget by nearly $4 million and is considering additional steps to reduce expenses, including negotiating less costly terms with its labor unions for health benefits and wages. The district expects reductions in state funds in the next two years. With approval of Issue 49, the district, which achieved an Excellent rating on the state report card for the first time this year, can maintain a measure of funding stability to continue the progress.
We recommend a vote for Issue 49 to preserve current operations in the district.
Issue 50: Norton
The Norton school district is planning to build a new campus, vacating its main school site, including the stadium, at the center of town. The plan calls for the district to buy a portion of a 430-acre property southeast of Greenwich and Medina Line roads to house a combined high school and middle school and an elementary building. The total cost of the project is an estimated $61 million.
Issue 50 has two parts. The first involves a bond issue that would generate $42.6 million, to be paid over 37 years at a 6.98 millage rate. The second calls for a continuing 2-mill permanent improvement levy. The district's current 3-mill permanent improvement levy would be taken off the books if Issue 50 is approved.
The merit of undertaking the building project at this time is clear. As school and city officials point out, the move from the 25-acre property at the center of town would free prime real estate for commercial development, generating much-needed revenues in the city.
The district is eligible for state school construction funds. If voters approve Issue 50, the state will pay 38 percent of the construction cost. Issue 50 would finance the 62 percent local share and other construction costs not eligible for state funding (ballparks, for example).
Further, at least $3.2 million in federal stimulus funds also are available to Norton, which would help lower the interest payments on the bonds. As harsh as the economic climate is, voters in Norton have a deal that may not get any better. There is no guarantee that the state and federal funds will be available whenever voters decide to approve a bond issue.
For an additional $18 a month in property taxes on a $100,000 house, Norton voters can create a well-designed educational environment.
We recommend a vote for Issue 50.
Issue 51: Tallmadge
Issue 51 for Tallmadge schools is a new 6.9-mill levy to raise $2.87 million a year for five years for current expenses. Voters last approved an operating levy in 2001. This is the district's sixth try in two years to raise new revenues while state funds to the district have been frozen at 2003 levels. In the meantime, the district has trimmed $2.5 million from its budget, including 55 jobs. Without new money, Tallmadge must cut deeper as operational costs rise.
If approved, Issue 51 will raise the property tax on a $100,000 house about $18 a month. Tallmadge offers a good education for the money. The shame is that the continued financial squeeze will erode educational quality in one of the county's top districts.
We recommend that voters support Issue 51.
Issue 52: Coventry
Issue 52 for the Coventry schools is a new levy request for 4.99 mills for three years to pay for current expenses. It would raise $1.6 million a year and add about $13 a month to taxes owed on a $100,000 house. The district is projecting a $600,000 deficit at the end of this school year.
To deal with the shortfall, school officials have instituted a pay freeze for all employees and school board members, cut teaching and other positions and offered early retirement to senior employees, among other steps to reduce expenses. Additional steps to reduce costs are under consideration.
Issue 52 is essential to prevent deeper reductions and to maintain the level of education.
We recommend approval of Issue 52.
Issue 53: Green
A current operating levy that raises about $4.1 million a year for schools in Green will expire in December. It represents about 8.5 percent of the district's operating budget and costs the owner of a $100,000 house about $15 a month. The district is seeking renewal of this 5.8-mill levy for five years. The issue does not raise property taxes.
Issue 53 is particularly critical for Green on Tuesday. Voters have not approved new operating funds since 1999. The last attempt this spring to raise new funds was rejected by nearly 63 percent of voters. This time, the district is not asking voters for new money. It is asking for the current operating levy to continue past December.
We recommend a vote for Issue 53 for Green Local Schools to main an excellent academic record.
Issue 55: Manchester
Issue 55 is a bond issue of 6.98 mills for 37 years and a continuing permanent improvement levy of 0.5 mills. If approved, the issue will generate $26.6 million for new construction in Manchester Local Schools. Issue 55 would add about $19 a month to the property tax on a $100,000 house.
The case for Issue 55 has grown stronger since voters rejected a similar request in May. The district proposes to replace four aging buildings with two new ones, an elementary school and a combined junior and senior high school. The total cost of the project is estimated at $46.3 million.
Under Ohio's school facilities program, the state will contribute $19.7 million, which will cover the cost of the elementary building, if the district puts up the $26.6 million for the new high school. Manchester is guaranteed at least $3.2 million in federal stimulus funds to help pay the interest, and possibly $4.4 million more if voters approve the bond issue.
This is a rare opportunity to upgrade school facilities at reasonable cost to residents.
We recommend a vote for Issue 55.
Issues 56, 57 and 58: Springfield
On the ballot in the Springfield school district are requests to renew three operating levies, each for five years. Together, Issues 56, 57 and 58 generate about $4.5 million a year, the equivalent of as many as 65 teaching positions. For Springfield, whose finances have been under state supervision since 2007, the loss of such a sum from its stripped-down budget would be disastrous. How much can the district cut and still provide a decent education? If approved, the renewal levies will not increase property taxes, but they will keep the district afloat.
We recommend votes for Issues 56, 57 and 58.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 08:34 AM, 10/29/2009
how do i find out the open enrollment numbers for Coventry schools? they will not release that info.
Posted 09:44 AM, 10/30/2009
SURPRISE-SURPRISE-SURPRISE, the "Gomer's" at ABJ support every tax increase, again. SHAZAM!
Munroe Falls, Oh
Posted 10:24 PM, 10/31/2009
It still astounds me that they still scream for us to throw more money at a failed government run system. Go figure.
