District makes its case for new levy

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By Kelli Wynn, Staff Writer 5:12 PM Thursday, February 4, 2010

KETTERING — The Montgomery County Auditor’s Office has determined that Kettering City Schools’ 6.9-mill operating levy will likely generate $9,101,393 in property tax revenue.

The school district submitted its resolution of necessity to the auditor’s office on Jan. 25.

The board is expected to place the new, five-year operating levy on the May 4 ballot.

“We will work very hard to make this levy last four years,” said Jim Schoenlein, Kettering’s interim superintendent.

“Based on the assumptions we’ve made, we’re generally back on the ballot every three years,” said Steve Clark, district treasurer.

“We could stretch to four years, but we would probably have to change some of our spending.”

The requested levy would cost $211.31 for a homeowner with a house valued at $100,000, according to Sam Braun, administrative assistant for the auditor’s office.

Schoenlein said there are good reasons for residents to support the levy.

“We believe we have a great school system,” he said. “Our kids get a great education, and we would hope that (the residents) would want to maintain that,

“I believe that I and the teachers understand what our kids are going to need to survive the new economy,” he added.

The new economy, for example, is the global economy. “(Students) are going to have to be creative and innovative and entrepreneurs,” he said. “We can provide that for our kids, but that all costs money.”

The district has attempted to cut its spending by reducing six positions through attrition between September 2008 and 2009, Clark said.

“When we combined that with the retirements and the people we were able to bring in at a lower rate in other positions, we reduced our personnel costs by $1.3 million,” Clark said. He added that 57 positions were eliminated during the last four years, saving the district $7.6 million.

Schoenlein said he understands that a levy is a huge concern for residents, especially those who do not have children enrolled in the school district. But he insists that the levy is needed.

The district currently has 7,329 students.

The district passed its last operating levy — 4.9 mills — in November 2007.

The board is expected to discuss its “Resolution to Proceed” with the levy during its Feb. 16 meeting, which will be held at 6 p.m. in the Recital Hall of Fairmont High School, 3301 Shroyer Road.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2414 or kwynn@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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