Here is a preview of some of the school levies that will appear on the May 6, 2014 ballot.
Clark County – Tecumseh Local School District
Emergency Requirements – Renewal
After 11 failed levy attempts,Tecumseh Local Schools is asking voters to pass two renewal levies to fund the district. The 2.81 mill and 4.67 mill will be for a period of five years. Both of the levies are renewals and the district will not receive any additional money. Voters defeated the levy on the November 2013 ballot 54% to 46%. The district has made about $8 million in cuts since 2004 including a 20-percent staff reducation. It has already cut to high school busing, raised latchkey fees,and eliminated field trips. The district says it has cut all it can and if this levy doesn’t pass it will have to look at increasing pay-to-play fees and other programs. The district has not received new operating funds in more than 18 years. For the owner of a $100,000 home, the two new levies will cost taxpayers a total of $260 annually.
Auglaize County – New Bremen School District
Current Operating Expenses – Renewal
New Bremen Local School District is putting a continuing 1% income tax renewal levy on the ballot. The levy is not a new tax and will not raise property taxes. The 1% income tax has been collected by the district for the past 9 years. The 1% income tax makes up 20% of the schools’ general revenue. In the last five years, the district has been able to contain costs by reducing teaching and auxiliary staff and increasing revenue through open enrollment. The district says the levy is needed to provide necessary resources to continue to operate as an “Excellent” school district.
Auglaize County – St. Marys City School District
Emergency Requirements – Renewal
St. Marys City School District is asking for its voters to pass a 6.8 mill renewal levy for five years to go towards operating expenses. The levy was first passed in 2004. It would bring in $1.84 million each year to the district.
Butler County – Middletown City School District
Facilities and Permanent Improvements – Additional
Middletown Schools is asking voters to pass a bond issue to build a new middle school and renovate the high school. If the bond issue is passed, the state will commit to funding 42% of the cost of the buildings. If the bond issue is passed, the buildings will come with up-to-date technology and safety features for students. The middle school is nearing a century old and school officials believe it is time to replace the building. The projects will take about two and a half to three years to complete. The district says this is the last opportunity to pass the bind issue; if it fails, the district would have to pay $60,000 to run an election with no other items on the ballot. For the owner of a $59,000 home, the bond issue will cost about $84 per year.
Butler County – Fairfield City School District
Facilities and Permanent Improvements – Additional
Fairfield City School District has put a 2.6 mill bond issue on the May 6 ballot to pay for permanent improvements. The $19 million dollar project, funded partly by the Ohio School Facilities Commission, would replace the elementary school, create a high school campus, and construct a new elementary school. If the levy passes, construction on the project will begin this year and be completed by 2016. For a person who owns a $100,000 home, it will cost about $91.70 a year.
Champaign County – Mechanicsburg Exempted Village Schools
Emergency Requirements – Renewal
Mechanicsburg Exempted Village School District is putting a 1.96 mill renewal levy on the May ballot for emergency requirements for a period of ten years. The levy will bring in $189,000 to the district annually. Mechanicsburg Schools will not receive any additional revenue from the levy but it’s requiring the funds to keep operating at the current level..
Champaign County – Triad Local School District
Permanent Improvements – Additional
Triad Local Schools has placed a 0.5 percent income tax levy on the ballot for permanent improvements for a period of two years. The money will go towards making improvements to buildings and technology as well as safety and security upgrades.
Clark County – Clark-Shawnee Local School District
Avoid Operating Deficit – Additional
Clark Shawnee Schools are seeking an additional 6.95 mill levy for ten years on the May ballot. After past levy failures, the district has been forced to increase class sizes, cut teaching positions, and cut busing. They need the additional funding to avoid an operating deficit. For the owner of a $100,000 home, the levy would cost about $243 a year if approved.
Clark County – Greenon Local School District
Avoid Operating Deficit – Additional
Greenon Schools is asking voters to pass a 4.96 mill operating levy for a five year period to avoid a financial deficit. Approving the levy will allow the district to continue programs like all-day kindergarten and STEM courses. The levy will generate $1.265 million for the district annually. Since June 2013, Greenon has implemented $330,000 in budget cuts. If the levy does not pass, the district will face fiscal emergency. For the owner of a $100,000 home, the levy would cost $173.60 a year.
Darke County – Greenville City School District
Improving school sites – Renewal
Greenville City Schools are seeking a 2.0 mill renewal levy for a five year period to improve school sites. The money from the levy will be used to repair buildings, upgrade technology, and improve parking and athletic facilities. The levy will result in no new taxes and will continue to bring in about $500,000 a year to Greenville Schools. The district has successfully renewed the levy since 1989.
Greene County – Greeneview Local School District
General Permanent Improvements – Additional
Greeneview Schools is asking voters to approve a 0.25% income tax levy on the May ballot for a 30 year period. The funding is to make permanent improvements in the district, specifically at the high school and elementary school. The money will go towards improving structural and insulation repairs in the buildings.The levy will generate about $425,000 annually. For the owner of a $100,000 home, the levy will cost $250.
Logan County – Indian Lake Local School District
Emergency Requirements – Renewal
Indian Lake Schools is asking for a 7.2 mill emergency renewal levy with an increase. The district is still operating on the 2004 revenue and the current levy expires in 2014. Because of a decrease in state funding, and an increase costs of doing business, they’re calling on voters to help them climb out of a financial emergency. The owner of a $100,000 home will pay an increased cost of $5.83 a month. If the levy fails, high school busing will be eliminated and there will be an increase in pay-to-play fees. If the levy passes, it will create financial stability for the district and current busing will remain unchanged.
Logan County – West Liberty-Salem School District
Improvement – Renewal
West Liberty-Salem School District is asking voters to pass a 1.5 mill renewal levy for five years. The levy will cover costs of construction and school building improvements, as well as purchases of equipment, buses, books, and instructional materials. The levy is expected to bring in about $150,000 to the district each year.
Mercer County – St. Henry Consolidated Local School District
Emergency Requirements – Renewal
St. Henry Local Schools are hoping voters will pass a 7.0 mill renewal levy with an increase of 2.1 mills for a total of 9.1 mills for a period of five years. The board is moving 0.4 mills from the bond retirement to reduce the new millage to 1.7. This will lower the total millage rate from 9.1 to 8.7. The levy is for purposes of keeping up with the district’s growing operating expenses. The last emergency operating levy was approved in 2009. Money will go towards operating expenses and enhancing student programs within the district. If the levy does not pass, a rollback discount of $80,000 will be added to the property tax rate for all district property owners. The increased cost of the levy for a resident with a $100,000 home is $59.50 annually.
Miami County – Bethel Local School District
School Facilities and Renovations
Bethel Local Schools are looking for voters to pass a bond issue of 7.94 mill for the district. The money will go towards school building improvements, renovations, and adding additional space for students. The levy includes funding for constructing classrooms and a cafeteria, remodel existing buildings, improving traffic flow, and upgrading safety and security. For the owner of a $100,000 home, it will cost about $277.90 annually.
Miami County – Piqua City School District
School Facilities and Renovations – Renewal
Piqua City Schools are asking for the community to pass a 1.8 mill renewal levy for five years. The renewal levy will not bring in additional money to the district; it will only maintain current funding. The levy brings in $692,986 each year. Funds from the levy will be used for maintenance and building upkeep such as infrastructure, security equipment, parking resurfacing, and busing. The 1.8 mill levy was originally passed by voters in 1994. If the levy does not pass, an additional $692,986 will be cut from the district budget.
Miami County – Tipp City Exempted Village School District
Permanent Improvements – Renewal
Tipp City Exempted Village School District is asking voters to pass a 2.0 mill renewal levy for five years for permanent improvement funds. The renewal levy will provide money for curriculum and technology purchases as well as projects (such as energy efficiency, safety, and security) that improve the district’s facilities. Renewal of the levy will not result in an increase in taxes. The levy brings in about $700,000 each year. The levy costs the owner of a $100,000 home $54 a year.
Montgomery County – Brookville Local School District
Current Expenses – Additional
Brookville Local Schools are hoping residents pass an additional 5.25 mill levy to pay for current expenses within the district.
Preble County – National Trail Local School District
Current Expenses – Renewal
National Trail Schools are asking for the renewal of a 0.75% income tax levy for five years. Costs in the district have increased by 4.24% in the last five years. The levy is expected to generate about $804,000 per year. The funds will help the district maintain the “excellent” designation of student achievement.
Preble County – Tri-County North Local School District
Current Expenses – Renewal
Tri-County North Local School District wants voters to pass a 1% earned income tax levy on the ballot for a period of five years. The levy is projected to raise about $961,459 annually for the district. If the levy does not pass, the district will have to cut about $941,000 in expenditures. Programs eliminated or cut will include field trips, latchkey programs, clubs, busing, and sports. Tri-County North is the only school district in Preble County without any type of school income tax.
Shelby County – Botkins Local School District
Permanent Improvements – Renewal
Botkins Local Schools are asking voters to approve a 2.0 mill renewal levy for five years. The levy is for purposes of permanent improvements to the schools. For the owner of a $100,000 home, the levy will cost $57.12.
Shelby County – Russia Local School District
Current Expenses – Renewal
Russia Local Schools are asking voters to pass an 8.0 mill renewal levy for five years to support current operating expenses. The levy will result in no additional taxes for the district. The levy will bring in about $320,000 a year.
Shelby County – Sidney City School District
Avoid Operating Deficit – Renewal
Sidney City School District is asking voters to renew a 9.9 mill emergency property tax levy for five years to avoid an operating deficit. Originally passed in 2009, 9.9 mill levy accounts for 14% of the annual budget for the district. The levy expired in 2013. The district says the levy renewal will ensure it can maintain student programs, educational services, and instruction at the current level. If the levy is not renewed, the district will lose $.4.4 million in funding annually.
Shelby County – Fort Loramie Local School District
Current Expenses
Fort Loramie Local School District has put a 1.5% income tax levy for five years on the May ballot.The $1.5 million generated from the levy will be used for classroom resources and current operations.The income tax generates about 23%of the district’s general fund budget. To operate within its means, it’s reduced staff and eliminated some extra positions. The levy will not raise property taxes.
Warren County – Franklin Local School District
Avoid Operating Deficit – Renewal
Franklin Local Schools are asking voters to pass a 7.92 mill five year emergency levy to avoid a budget deficit. Money from the levy will be used to maintain schools and busing and increase technology and opportunities for students. Franklin Schools has not received additional funding since 2005. Before 2005, the last levy that was passed was in 1995. This levy would generate $3.11 million for the district. For the owner of a $100,000 home, the levy would cost about $23.10 a month.