Voucher program causes need for 9.9-mill tax levy in Liberty, schools chief says

By John w. Goodwin jr.

LIBERTY — School officials blame a state program for the need to place a tax levy on the May ballot.

The district will be asking for an emergency 9.9-mill 10-year fixed levy generating $2,291,362 annually.

The levy would cost homeowners with a house valued at $100,000 about $300 more per year, according to reports.

Superintendent Mark Lucas said the state’s Education Choice Scholarship program is responsible. That program offers tuition vouchers for children in academically troubled public schools to attend private schools.

E.J. Blott Elementary School had been in academic watch for two years, making students there eligible for the voucher program in 2007-08, but it has moved up to continuous improvement.

According to school officials, 35 students entered the system from private schools in February and April 2007. All 35 students withdrew from the district at the end of the school year, taking the voucher, funds that would normally go to Liberty schools to parochial and private schools.

Lucas said the district will lose those funds each year until those students graduate from high school.

“It appears the additional hardship of the vouchers has accelerated the need for new money by two to three years,” said Lucas.

“This was a one-year deal that hit Liberty, and you pay for it for the next 12 to 13 years.”

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.