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E-mail Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2008 > July > 27 > Entry
Stanic: Dayton levy won’t exceed 6 mills
Kurt Stanic
Interim city school Superintendent Kurt Stanic promised an upcoming November levy will be no more than 6 mills, or one-third the size of the district’s 2007 levy try.
In a meeting with the Dayton Daily News editorial board, Stanic said he would never support a levy the size of the 15.17-mill levy that was soundly defeated in May of 2007.
“Somebody convinced them they were asking for what they needed,” Stanic said of the school board last year. “There is a political reality to this.”
Stanic said he wants a levy that will cost the average city homeowner about $10 a month and he will craft a “recovery” plan for the district to adapt to a new financial reality whether the levy passes or fails.
“We need to be plain to the public about what is going to happen,” he said.
Stanic also commented on several other issues facing the district, including:
—Report card rating. Stanic said the district is still reviewing its test data from the school year just completed but that he expected the district would be rated in “academic emergency” when the state issues district report cards next month.
Two years ago, Dayton leaped from the bottom of the state rankings to the middle of five rating categories before falling back one spot to “academic watch” last year. Slipping another rung down the ladder returns Dayton to the bottom of the state’s rankings.
—Labor relations. The school board and teachers’ union have a tentative agreement on a new one-year labor deal that will give teachers a 2 percent raise. Last year, teachers got no raise following the levy defeat.
Teachers’ union President Pat Lynch said she hopes her members will vote on the agreement Aug. 7.
“There is nothing on paper at this point but there is a tentative agreement and our members do not have it yet,” she said. “Hopefully it will be out on our Web site in a couple of days.”
—Central office reorganization. A new central office structure that will eliminate several unfilled positions among other changes will be announced next week, he said, and will save the district about $2.2 million.
—Priorities. Stanic listed three major priorities for the district for the 2008-09 school year: passing the levy, improving discipline in the classroom and refocusing administrators and teachers on instruction.
He said a new discipline code will be put in place for the upcoming school year and that he will expect principals to enforce it or he will personally investigate problem schools. For teachers, Stanic said he wants them to use data to target student weaknesses and tailor instruction to meet them.
Permalink | Comments (21) | Post your comment | Categories: Dayton Public Schools
Comments
By gran
August 5, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
The programs that retired teacher referred to, usually have corporate sponsors. It seems that Mr. Stanic is realistic in his views and is pro-student and teacher. DPS has been top heavy for years and it needs to be addressed. The new acting superintendent seems to be aware of this and will do what is necessary to provide a free and appropriate education to all students in DPS. It seems he was a good choice for the interim period. He has a good track record in his previous districts. He is from Ohio and he understand our current economy and needs, he is realistic what he can ask for in the levy. I hope people support him so he can get the job done.
By retiredteacher
July 31, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
If the kids are the most important people in the district, then getting them to school must be second. It has to come before things like the Reading Jamboree, Science Fairs, Math Olympics, and any other events that cost money and take away from providing transportation for high school students. It is not only the event, but the big salaries paid to the people who run these 1 day events but get paid for the whole year.
By Teacher
July 29, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
Don’t blame the teachers for all the woe in Dayton. It is the students responsiblitiy to do homework and to learn in general. For me I would for go the raise to get classroom supplies. The raise should only be for capped personnel. I’m still young enough that I get a raise regardless by time spent. After 15 years without an increase DPS needs additional money to make improvements and to buy supplies. I agree lets see if the new superintendent can make a change.
By Oldprof
July 29, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this
Whether or not you support this levy, keep this in mind. Ohio’s school taxes do not increase to keep pace with inflation, so every school district has to ask for a new tax levy (in most cases, an inflation-adjustment only) every few years. Whether it passes or not, thousands and thousands of public dollars go to pay for these ballots; many thousands more of private funds go to the levy campaigns. We could save ALL that money and perhaps re-route some of it directly to education (and transportation, and other essentials) if we would just fix Ohio’s unconstitutional school funding system—and the ‘we’ who count here are people like John Husted, whose so far has been a miserable, counterproductive failure as an education reformer.
By Former Administrator
July 29, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
Finally there may be some light at the end of the tunnel. I could not understand why DPS did not go after smaller levies every 3 - 5 years,then all of a sudden expect the citizens in Dayton to pass a substantial levy a few years back. This made no sense. Realizing that times are hard, it will take a lot of work to get this levy passed, but it is really needed. Using previous monies from the levy 16 years ago without adjustments for today’s dollars just doesn’t make sense. It can’t keep up and as a result the school system has suffered. I do hope that the new superintendent will look at all of the positions and eliminate those positions that are not essential and not reassign those individuals to other administrative jobs but place then back in the classroom. I hope he really stands by his decision to improve discipline in the schools and backs the administrators and teachers in their decisions. I also hope that he does not surround himself with all “YES” people. Good luck DPS.
By walley
July 29, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
A 2 per cent raise for teachers wow. DPS and UD gave there charter school a 7 percent raise over the next three years and on the 15 of July the school board approved a 2% raise for all administrators. The DEA doesn’t support teachers it supports administration. DEA keeps saying DPS has no money. COLA has gone up 3% each year so 2% is still below that.
By Basil
July 29, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this
None of this is good news for Dayton Schools. The severe budget cuts have reversed gains that were made in academic acheivement. The reduced teaching staff, the lack of a well-rounded curriculum, and the failure to pay the professional staff adequately have created the “perfect storm” for Dayton Schools. Stanic rides in on white horse and people act like he is going to save the burning building. Please! Dayton’s problems are multi-layered. It will take years to fix it. Hey, has Strickland done anything at all for the schools yet?
By D.T.
July 28, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this
Please don’t be so quick to say I’m going to vote no on a new levy. Rather than blame DPS for all of the issues take a look around at all districts in Ohio. Notice that nearly all have recently experienced (last 15 years) financial troubles similar to DPS including wealthier districts (i.e. Springboro). While I make no excuse for how the money within the district is handled, it’s difficult to argue with the fact that revenue for the district is dropping due to decreased aid from the state level and a steadily decreasing tax base. Many in Dayton blamed the financial problems on Dr. Mack but now that he’s gone why not give his (temporary) replacement a chance to succeed?
By Jay
July 28, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
WHY pay increased taxes on already over-inflated values of real property in Dayton? Current market values are not even close to what we are being taxed on. Sure I’ll pay a higher levy but lets adjust tax evaluations accordingly
By Democratic Party
July 28, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this
Get rid of the teachers unions, actually teach the kids for a period of say 12years, so we can gauge how well the system is doing, then, maybe just maybe, we’ll consider it.
By Scott Elliott
July 28, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
The $2.2 million is not all administrators. For example, Stanic also said the district would not be replacing as many assistant principals and art/music teachers as planned.
By Steve
July 28, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
When are schools going to “get it”. We can not afford ANY new taxes right now! And it the schools administration do not get that…fire them and replacement with ones who do.
By Concerned Mom of 3
July 28, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this
I like what I am reading… The smaller the levy, the better. Further, I will more likely vote in favor of the levy because I see that Mr. Stanic is tackling the problems in the district head on. I like the changes I see.
By Rick
July 28, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this
So far, so good.
By deb
July 28, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this
I sure would like to see if there is action behind his words…Time will tell..
By Chuck
July 28, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
A levy will never pass. Gasoline at $4.00 a gallon, already a tremendous increase in this years property taxes for Sinclair, Natural gas going from .999 per cubic foot to 1.599 or possibly higher It just wont fly peole are not in a position to keep paying more for anything
By Old Teach
July 28, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
Hooray! Finally someone to break up the “good old boys/girls” network at Ludlow. Now, maybe we can get back to the business of teaching kids.
By Barry
July 28, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
just say no to new taxes. I know plenty of you are going to give me a ration of grief over this, but why should we throw good money after bad? until there is a voucher system in place I am going to vote no on school taxes. they already get more then enough of my money as it is.
By hajballz
July 28, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
I vote no for a new levy.enough is enough!
By Mary
July 28, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
This man sounds as if both his feet are firmly implanted in reality, and that he is a highly focused man of action. Refreshing, so far. If he gets results, maybe we can clone him for other school districts.
By Alwazaprincess
July 28, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
WOW! Perhaps a “New Day is Dawning” is finally going to happen! How refreshing it is to read about Stanic’s plans. Not replacing central office admin. positions to save the district $2.2 million???? What a novel idea! Gee, isn’t this what DEA and President Ms. Lynch had suggested a year ago before all the teacher lay offs? Maybe with a new board and a new superintendent (even an interim one) things will change. I, for one, am a hopeful DPS teacher. :)