The elections board certified the levy’s Nov. 8 returns of 6,680 for and 6,606 against the 13.95-mill operating levy.
While a small portion of the Little Miami district is in Clermont County — where the board is not due to certify results until Nov. 29 — the 20 ballots cast (eight for and 12 against, according to unofficial returns) will not affect the outcome, elections officials say.
“This organization, and all the people in (it) ... we’ve been under a great deal of stress in the last two years,” Power said with emotion following the final count. “Education will never look the same as it did five years ago at Little Miami,” Power added.
High school busing will be reinstated first, likely after the semester break. Maineville and Butlerville elementary schools will likely reopen next school year.
David Griggs, a representative with the pro-levy group Support Little Miami Schools, was also emotional when the final count was announced.
He’s been involved in four of the nine attempts to pass the levy.
“It’s done. (I’m) happy we’ve passed this levy, and we can get the finances straight,” he said.
He said during the past two years, the levy support group has had to convert 200 no votes into yes votes.
While the levy will cost the owner of a $100,000 home an additional $400 a year, he said home values would have dropped significantly in the district otherwise.
By making several cuts, including wage freezes from union members and administrators and employees paying more toward health care premiums, the millage sought did not increase from the May request.
Griggs said he believes the $10 million a year funding the levy will generate will be enough to pay back the state’s loan, and is enough to put the district in the black by the 2014-15 school year, when local control can return to the district that has been under state control since last year.
There is “light at the end of the tunnel,” Griggs said.
Staff Writer Michael Pitman contributed to this story. Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or eric.robinette@ coxinc.com.
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