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E-mail Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2011 > May > 03 > Entry
Thirteen districts on ballot today
The majority of issues voters will decide on in today’s election involve local schools, with 13 Miami Valley districts on the ballot.
Eight of those districts are seeking new money to cover budget reductions and increasing costs, while the rest hope voters will renew existing taxes that they say are necessary to maintaining services in the face of shrinking budgets.
Education spending will see some of the largest cuts in Gov. John Kasich’s budget — a 15 percent reduction over the next two years due to the absence of stimulus funds. State lawmakers introduced changes to that plan last week that would limit some of the most severe cuts.
The state must have a budget in place before the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. Districts like Xenia Community Schools need voters to renew both a property tax levy and a half-percent income tax “just to keep our head above water,” said Assistant Superintendent Randy Overbeck.
The district has cut $7.2 million out of the budget for this school year and next with most of those cuts related to anticipated reductions from the state.
Voter turnout locally is expected to be light, below 30 percent, although areas with more voter interest in a particular issue could be higher, elections officials said. Statewide, 148 of 338 tax issues on the ballot are for schools — nearly 44 percent.
Tax measures face different levels of opposition across the Miami Valley communities. Some voters are hesitant to approve issues they may not be able to afford in a still struggling economy.
Others are waiting to see whether Ohio’s Senate Bill 5 and other proposed legislative changes will help schools and governments balance their budgets. School officials across the Miami Valley say the legislative changes won’t save them enough money, and the new and renewal measures are necessary to help offset funding cuts and rising costs.
In Fairborn, a group is opposing both the school’s request for additional operating money and proposed changes to the city charter that includes making it harder to remove the city manager. “We want fiscal responsibility, integrity and accountability,” said Angil Corey, chairwoman of Citizens for Fairborn’s Future.
Diane Tipton says if Huber Heights voters approve a 1.5 percent school earned income tax on top of the city’s existing 2 percent income tax, she will have to move. “Honestly, my husband and I are struggling to make ends meet right now. We just can’t afford it,” she said.
Huber Heights school officials say they need the extra money to offset budget cuts. The combined city and school income tax rate of 3.5 percent would make it one of the region’s highest.
Comments
By J
May 3, 2011 10:30 AM | Link to this
Vote NO on ISSUE 5 in Huber Heights! Cut the pay of those teachers and administrators earning $75K+ a year! Raising taxes on the residents will cause a mass exodus of homeowners from the city!
By Tax Master
May 3, 2011 10:27 AM | Link to this
Tecumseh Local Schools Issue 10 is going down……
By BEFORE U VOTE
May 3, 2011 10:07 AM | Link to this
Think Springboro!!