Renewal is crucial, Campbell super tells community

CAMPBELL — The board of education wants to put a five-year, 14.1-mill renewal levy on the May ballot.

The levy would not mean a tax increase. It generates $989,711 a year.

Superintendent Thomas Robey said it’s critical the renewal passes, citing the district treasurer’s five-year forecast. The forecast predicts problems beginning in 2012, with June 30 figures showing a deficit of nearly $1.4 million in 2012, more than $3.6 million in 2013 and more than $6.1 million in 2014.

Treasurer Nora Montanez said the forecast doesn’t include federal grants because she can’t predict what will be available then.

Robey said expenditures are exceeding revenues because of a decline in state dollars and because Campbell’s enrollment is decreasing. He said the district has lost 100 students over the past five years.

The board agreed at its Tuesday meeting that it would like to put the levy on the May ballot but has not yet taken a vote.