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StumbleuponSchool panel takes a Jefferson Twp. levy off Nov. 4 ballot
Commission says it needed more info on the proposed construction issue; operating levy still on.
Friday, August 22, 2008
JEFFERSON TWP., Montgomery County — A state oversight commission for Jefferson Twp. schools removed a levy for school construction from the Nov. 4 ballot, saying they do not have enough information to evaluate the fiscal sense of seeking funds for a new K-12 school.
In the commission's first meeting Thursday, Aug. 21, it also nearly removed a 5-mill operating levy, but after a long discussion decided to leave it on the ballot. If approved, it would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $82.69 a year and raise $420,000 annually for the district.
Commission members said they were not sure the levy amount is sufficient. Paul Marshall, a commission member appointed by the Ohio Office of Budget and Management, said the district's financial condition is murky, but its deficit for this school year is currently estimated at about $1.8 million, or about 23 percent of last year's revenue, which is worse than previously thought.
To combat the deficit, the commission authorized a $1.5 million loan from the state, without which Jefferson could not have made payroll through the end of September, Marshall said.
"Without this money, the district could not have opened its doors," he said.
The state moved to take over the fiscal operations of Jefferson Twp. schools earlier this month, saying the district repeatedly failed to implement changes recommended by the state auditor or to submit an acceptable recovery plan.
A five-member commission with veto power over all school board decisions includes:
• Willa Bronston, a 35-year township resident whose son graduated from the district.
• Kim Potter, owner of New Visions Interior Plantscaping and a 20-year resident. She has a son who attends Jefferson High School and a son who graduated in 2007.
• Emmitt Orr, a 33-year resident who works at Wright State University.
• Marshall, a financial planning administrator for OBM.
• Mike Watson, of the Ohio Department of Education's Office of School Options and Finance.
Jefferson school board President Robin Mobley said she spent much of Thursday trying to persuade the oversight board to keep the levies on the ballot out of fear that putting off levies until 2009 could lead the commission toward recommending Jefferson consolidate with neighboring districts.
The commission will meet Sept. 22 to begin crafting a recovery plan that will seek to dramatically reduce spending and raise new revenue to bring the budget back in balance and pay back the upcoming state loan.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2485 or
selliott@DaytonDailyNews.com.
