SPRINGFIELD School board committee works to pass levy renewal

The school district has all the information voters need on its Web site.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- With nearly four months left before the general election in November, members of the Springfield Board of Education are doing everything they can to persuade area residents to put the income tax levy back on the books.
They are writing letters, holding meetings, and encouraging folks to read information being posted on the district's Web site.
"We just want our residents to know as much as possible about Springfield," said Peggy Jones, school board member. "They can take that information and make a responsible, educated decision about the levy renewal."
School board members, along with several concerned citizens, formed a committee dedicated to getting the income tax levy renewal passed.
The 1 percent income tax expires at the end of this year.
Deficits
In the March primary, residents voted against renewing it. School officials have said that without the money the levy generates, the school district likely will face deficits of $642,000 in 2005 and nearly $1.7 million in 2006.
The lack of funding could cause the school district to go into fiscal emergency, meaning the state could move in and take control. Or, the school district could be forced to consolidate with another school district.
School officials and board members have said they will devote much of their time and efforts to make sure neither of those scenarios happens.
They plan to be on hand to answer questions and distribute information at several events, including National Night Out activities on Aug. 3 and the Athletic Boosters' fall dance Oct. 23. They also plan to hand out information on Election Day, which is Nov. 2.
Information
For more about committee activities, residents may log onto http://www.springfield.k12.oh.us/.
They also may obtain information about the school district, such as how many students are enrolled, the number of people employed, how much its employees earn and what programs are provided.
"We really believe that if people look at the school district and everything that has been accomplished here, and what has been done for our students, and if they focus on what's in the best interest of the students, they'll see how important the levy is," said Len Fagnano, board member.
At its regular monthly meeting in August, the school board plans to vote on whether to include the income tax levy renewal on the general election ballot in November. School board members all have indicated they are in favor of the renewal.
Earlier this month, as required by state law, the school board directed the Ed Sobnosky, district treasurer, to ask the state tax commissioner to determine the percentage the income tax levy should be to raise the more than $1.2 million administrators estimate is needed to pay for operating expenses.
The school district has estimated the income tax levy should remain at 1 percent.