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The Dayton Mediation Center will facilitate the event, according to a post on their Facebook page. The post says Greene County Auditor David Graham will give a presentation on school levies and property taxes, and there will be an opportunity for respectful statements, plus questions and answers.
“All community members are welcome regardless of their stance on the levy,” the Mediation Center’s post says.
School Superintendent Doug Cozad questioned whether the event will be impartial.
“This is a meeting put together by the ‘No levy’ group, with what I believe is a ‘no levy’ rally under the guise of a town hall meeting,” Cozad said in a video posted online. “Yes, David Graham will be there to answer questions, however, beyond that, this is not a school-sponsored event, and obviously we will not be present at a ‘no levy’ rally.”
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John Stafford, who has run the “Vote No” campaign, could not immediately be reached for comment Monday about the school district declining to attend the meeting. A post on his group’s Facebook page called it “no surprise,” saying the district has refused requests for a debate.
The May 7 ballot issue is a permanent, 7.5-mill replacement school levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home an additional $211 per year and would raise an extra $3 million per year to pay for the school district’s regular operating costs. The campaign has been tense and has included some misinformation by both sides.
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