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election 2008
Trotwood school board moves to put 9.06-mill levy on November ballot
Without added operating funds, district forecasts a nearly $3.4 million deficit by the end of 2009.
Friday, March 21, 2008
TROTWOOD — Anticipating a deficit of almost $3.4 million by the end of 2009, the Trotwood-Madison school board took the first step to get a 9.06-mill operating levy on the November ballot.
The board on Thursday, March 20, approved 5-0 a resolution declaring the necessity of the levy and asking the county auditor to certify how much the millage would raise.
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"This is just to put the wheels in motion," said Craig Ross Sr., board president. The board wants to meet with the City Council to make sure the bodies aren't proposing tax increases at the same time.
"We don't want to bump heads," Ross said.
Diana Whitt, the district treasurer, said the schools have not asked for new operating money since 1996.
In her October five-year forecast for the district, Whitt sees total operating revenue decreasing by about $1.8 million by 2012. Operating costs, on the other hand, are projected to increase by $4.9 million.
In 2002, voters approved a $90 million, 28-year bond issue to rebuild all of the district's aging school buildings. All the money generated by those 8.11 mills must be used to pay off the bonds, which covered one third of the construction costs. The state paid the remaining two-thirds. None of that money can be used for operating costs.
In addition, Superintendent Lowell Draffen said he will recommend that the board approve $1 million in budget cuts beginning in September.
Other schools that may be on ballot
Dayton: The district's 15.17-mill levy failed last May and school officials have said a new levy is likely this fall.
Huber Heights: The district is expected to decide in May if it will seek a bond issue for school construction this fall.
Beavercreek: A $90 million bond issue for renovation and new school construction was defeated March 4 and could return.
Valley View: The district may retry a bond issue for a new K-12 school. The issue was defeated March 4.
Xenia: School officials have announced that in November they will seek a tax levy to fund the district's $66 million share for a state and locally funded project to build and renovate schools across the district.
Greeneview: The district sought a half-percent income tax to raise $10.5 million over 28 years to pay for the local portion of a $33 million project for a new school, but the issue lost on March 4.
Springboro: A 5.99-mill continuing levy for operating expenses was defeated March 4. The district is considering a range of options, but could go for a levy in November, if it doesn't call for a special election in August.
Waynesville: The district's 10-mill, three-year levy renewal failed on March 4. Another try in November is possible.
