Trotwood-Madison voters must invest in schools

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5:44 PM Monday, October 26, 2009

We must continue to invest in our future

As Nov. 3 approaches, I am increasingly concerned about Trotwood citizens’ awareness of the importance of the schools’ 7.5-mill operating levy. After hearing the community’s concern about last year’s 9.06-mill issue being too costly, the board of education has come back with 7.5, knowing that it will not meet the full need of the district, but giving voters something they can more easily support.

The thought is that the additional $10 to $20 per month that it will cost the average homeowner is not a budget buster for citizens, but will allow the board to maintain the integrity of the educational program that is in place.

The district realizes that families are hurting financially; that unemployment of 13 percent in Trotwood is among the highest in the area; that jobs have been lost and that our neighborhoods have a high concentration of foreclosed homes. We know that we are asking our citizens for a little bit more out of the few dollars they have. But we ask because our kids need it and they deserve it.

The choice is simple: If we want our Trotwood-Madison children to end up in classrooms where teachers have 30 or more students to instruct; if we want to eliminate those additional classroom teacher resources that provide intervention and one-on-one services that our students so desperately need just to catch up; if we want to eliminate honors and AP courses that our gifted and high-achieving students need; if we want to eliminate busing for all students living within two miles of school; if we want to reduce or eliminate the full range of extracurriculars, including sports, clubs, and band, we need only to allow this levy to fail.

But if it is our choice to continue investing in our future by guaranteeing an opportunity for a thorough and effective education system that allows our children to become productive contributors to society, then it is imperative that we pass Issue 38.

— John R. Smith

Clayton

Mr. Smith is director of operations for Trotwood-Madison schools.

Students will feel pain of education cuts

It’s been 13 years since the Trotwood-Madison School District has had new operating money. The district went to the citizens last fall and asked for 9.06 mills, and the community responded with a resounding no. Now the district is back on the ballot asking for 7.5 mills. The reduction of nearly 2 mills down from last fall’s ballot issue means that the district will absorb $2 million in cuts, even if the levy passes. If this ballot effort fails, the cuts will go even deeper.

The bad news is that education cuts do not heal.

The pain from the cuts will be most felt by our students. They stand to lose academic programs, extracurricular activities, athletics and busing. The academic programs at Trotwood have been making a positive impact on our students. A look at the state report card demonstrates that our high school students are on track with their peers in other Ohio school districts. Trotwood has instituted a co-teaching model at the elementary level to bring our elementary students to a higher academic level.

Our students will lose academic opportunities without the additional funding.

Issue 38 asks Trotwood citizens for money for daily operations of Trotwood-Madison City Schools. If you own a $75,000 home, this 7.5 mills increases your taxes $14.36 monthly or less than 50 cents a day. Please vote yes for Issue 38 and support our students.

— Wanda M. Adams

Trotwood

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No way, they take to many days off. Students are not prepared for college. Some of the teachers need to be fired for being incompetent. When you get four years of mandatory math and science score up for all students, I will vote for a school levy. Un till then you can count on my no vote forever.

Jerry Allen
1:17 PM, 10/31/2009

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Trotwood has a high tax base as it is. Infact higher than the surrounding communities. I am tired of hearing threats of if i don't do this this will happened. A plant is threatening to close in dayton if the workers don't vote for no insurance and pay cuts. So tell me, if we loose our jobs and homes where are the taxes going to come from??? When taxes go up on peoperty value, the mortgage goes up making it harder to pay. i am for the schools, but when money is uncertain then what can i do???

youknowit
2:33 PM, 10/28/2009

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i read the letters from both Mr. Smith and ms Adams. I know our children's education is worth the money, but realize this: People are losing their jobs, home forclosures are on the rise and money is getting tight. You that are talking got a job. When it comes to a time to chose a roof over a childs head and food in their stomachs compared to a levy, what do you think they will will choose??? Threatening bussing and intervention is doing anything but adding fuel to the fire of saying no.

youknowit
2:27 PM, 10/28/2009

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Last year the school system had enough $$ to give their administrators a nice raise....

lui
8:58 PM, 10/26/2009

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