election 2011

3 vie for  2 seats  on school board

All three candidates support the district’s 6.7-mill emergency levy.

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By Mark Gokavi, Staff Writer 8:16 PM Wednesday, October 26, 2011

BEAVERCREEK — Beavercreek City Schools Board of Education candidates Al Nels, Mick Lundy and Joseph Veneziano all urge residents to vote in favor of the district’s 6.7-mill emergency operating levy.

Two of the three will be elected Nov. 8 and become intimately involved in decisions affected by the levy vote results.

The district’s biggest expense is salary and benefits, and state funding cuts have prompted the board to try to pass an emergency levy.

“We have to be very mindful of our human capital,” said Nels, who is running for a second term.

“We always want to have very talented people there, but the same time, how much can we afford?”

The district has an 11-year run of Excellent ratings on its state report card.

“My fear is that we won’t be able to continue these excellent ratings if we aren’t able to pass our levy in November,” Lundy said.

“We need to do so to continue to offer the services that continue to make our school system excellent.”

Veneziano is a write-in candidate who agrees that the state’s school funding process — found unconstitutional years ago — leads to districts repeatedly going before voters for levies. He said he was surprised by a sparse crowd at the district’s meeting approving the 2012 budget.

“It was at that moment when I realized it’s time for me to stand up and fight for our schools,” Veneziano said.

“What the heck, I’ll go to Columbus and take on the state of Ohio.”

Nels said Beavercreek has high expectations and that the defeat of a 9.9-mill levy on the May ballot was a message about value. Since then, the district made more cuts and reduced its request.

“(People ask), ‘Why do they constantly have to go back and ask for more money? What’s with that? Can’t they live within their means?’ ” Nels said.

“Once you understand the funding process, that question answers itself.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951 or mgokavi@DaytonDaily News.com.

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