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Kettering voters to decide 6.9-mill operating levy in May

At least 5 other school districts plan to ask for money in May 4 election.

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By Kelli Wynn, Staff Writer Updated 8:03 AM Wednesday, February 17, 2010

KETTERING — Voters in Kettering City Schools district will be asked to approve a 6.9-mill operating levy May 4.

The district’s board of education unanimously approved the ballot issue Tuesday, Feb. 16.

Members also voted to make James Schoenlein the district’s superintendent. Schoenlein, who has been with the district for 15 years, had been interim superintendent since August after Robert Mengerink resigned to take a job in Cleveland.

The owner of a house valued at $100,000 would pay $211.31 per year if the 5-year levy is approved, according to Sam Braun of the Montgomery County Auditor’s Office. It would generate $9.1 million annually for the district.

“We don’t plan to say any threatening things about what will happen if the levy doesn’t pass,” Schoenlein said prior to the meeting. “If the voters say no, we have to reassess our situation and make new plans.”

None of the board’s five members spoke publicly during the meeting about why the district needed the levy. However, two residents addressed the board after the vote .

One of those residents, Eric Weber, said, “There comes a time when those involved in the operation of the school district must step back and use school spending in the context of the community’s ability to support the requested increases. Sacrifice must be a shared effort.”

At least five other area school districts — Brookville, Kettering, Northmont, Trotwood-Madison and West Carrollton — plan to ask voters to pass funding issues on the May 4 ballot. The deadline to place a levy on the ballot is Thursday.

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