SPRINGFIELD SCHOOLS Group forms to promote levy

The levy group's next meeting is Tuesday.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- Springfield Board of Education members said they know that persuading area residents to put the income-tax renewal back on the books won't be an easy task.
But it's a job to which they're willing to devote much of their summer.
School board members are working with a small group of concerned residents to encourage district voters to renew the income-tax levy in the November general election. The group, known as the Springfield Local Levy Committee, has met three times to discuss ways to reach that goal.
The next meeting is at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Springfield Intermediate School library.
"Basically, our school district needs this levy renewal," said Len Fagnano, board member. "Our students need it. Our future doesn't look good without it."
The current income-tax levy, which generates about $1 million annually for the school district, has been in place nearly five years but is to expire at the end of this year. It is a 1 percent tax on an individual's adjusted gross income.
The income-tax levy was voted down in the March primary.
If levy fails
School representatives have said that without the levy in place, the district likely would face a fiscal emergency. The state education department could take control of the district, or the district could be forced to consolidate with another school district.
"I don't think anyone wants to see the state come in," said Debra Mettee, schools superintendent. "We're hoping that with enough information, accurate information, district residents will see the importance of the levy and change their votes in favor of it."
The levy committee plans to meet at least once a month until the November election. At a meeting earlier this month, committee members discussed publishing and distributing literature about the levy. They are also planning a series of promotional events, including a possible tailgate party. The group is also scheduling meetings at various sites, including residences and churches.
"We'll do as much as we can," Fagnano said. "We know how important this is."
Open enrollment
The school district, over the past several months, has explored other ways to possibly generate money, including open enrollment. Because Springfield's enrollment has steadily declined over the past few years, school administrators have said opening Springfield's doors to pupils outside the school district, at no cost to those pupils, could be an answer.
The state pays the school district roughly $5,000 a year for each pupil enrolled there. This year, Springfield was down 22 pupils from the 1,233 enrolled there last year.
"We've looked at open enrollment," Mettee said. "And that could be something we look into more in the future. For now, the school board has decided to focus on the income-tax levy renewal. That really is the best answer for the school district and our students.
"We were surprised it was defeated in March. But we're hoping our residents will see the need and support the school district and our students."