Beavercreek School levy failing by 29 votes, recount likely


BEAVERCREEK SCHOOLS

Average daily enrollment: 8,051

State report card indicators met for 2012-13: All standards met. 5 A’s, 4B’s

Previous state report card ratings: Excellent 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2009-10, 2011-12, Excellent with Distinction 2007-08, 2008-09, 2010-11

Administrators’ average salary: $93,728.43 ($76,654.09 state average)

Classroom teachers’ average salary: $62,954.37 ( $58,119.74 state average)

Expenditure per pupil: $10,307.91 ($10,597.21 state average)

Revenue per pupil: $9,406.80 ($10,850.64 state average)

The outcome of the school district’s 5-year 6.3 mill emergency levy for operations was too close to call on Tuesday night, according to final, unofficial results reported by the Greene County and Montgomery County boards of election.

The combined totals for both counties showe 8,122 votes against the levy and 8,093 for the levy. That’s a difference of 29 votes, and is within the 0.5 percent margin that triggers an automatic recount.

Provisional and late-arriving absentee ballots will not be counted for 10 days under state law.

This is the fifth attempt by the district in the past 2 1/2 years to get voter approval for new money for the schools. A 6.7-mill levy was defeated last November by 41 votes.

If defeated, “The school board will have to immediately begin gathering information and identifying further cuts,” Superintendent Bill McGlothlin said. If passed, he said, it “Will allow us to restore the critical services and programs we have had to cut.”

Supporters say the $10.3 million that would be generated annually is needed to keep the district moving forward with its excellent education. Opponents contend that for 14 consecutive years the district has maintained its top state ranking with the tax money it gets and could continue.

The levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 appraised home an additional $220.50 a year.

“They have cut a lot staff, and I don’t think they can legitimately cut any more,” said Marilyn Raeth after casting her ballot at the Beavercreek Baptist Church.

Brian Raether, said he voted against the levies because he was concerned about the district’s stance on busing students and felt the school board had made unwise budget decisions, including cutting part-time librarians rather than trimming other administrative costs.

According to the Beavercreek Schools’ five-year forecast, the district has been using cash reserves for the past five years to operate the schools. McGlothlin said without new money the district would not have enough cash to open the schools for the 2015-16 school year.

In the race for the three Board of Education seats, former district superintendent Denny Morrison and recently retired district teacher JoAnn Rigano appeared to have won seats. Incumbent Peg Arnold was trailing Krista Hunt by a handful of votes.

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