SOUTHWEST OHIO 2 on school board: We're against levy

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Two school board members say they will oppose the district's proposed $65 million tax levy renewal unless the district does a better job of controlling costs.
Board members Melanie Bates and Rick Williams said Wednesday the inefficiency of the school board prompted them to take the anti-levy stance, unusual for a board member.
"The public is fed up with broken promises, and so are we," Williams said. "We will do everything in our power to persuade the voters to oppose this colossal waste of money unless this school board, right now, commits itself to the reforms the people of Cincinnati are demanding."
A levy defeat would force cuts of $32.5 million from school budgets for the 2005-06 school year, treasurer Michael Geoghegan said. This year's general fund budget was $436 million.
"This is absolutely critical to continuing operations of the school district," he said.
"You would be cutting right into the core academic program."
A school district resident with a home valued at $100,000 pays $300 for the levy. Taxes would not increase if residents support it in November.
Mark Turner, president of the pro-levy group Cincinnatians Active to Support Education, said opposition by board members would be troubling.
"It is money that is currently being used, and it is for the children first," Turner said. "I believe that from the bottom of my heart. They are the ones who will get hurt the most if this doesn't get passed."