BELLAIRE - Suffering a financial deficit, the Bellaire School District will place a levy request before the voters this election.
During a special meeting earlier this week, board passed the motion to approve a resolution requesting a state tax commissioner to certify rate to place a one percent earned income tax levy on the March 6, 2012 ballot. The Ohio Department of Tax Analysis will evaluate it and determine what amount the levy would generate.
School board president Stanley Stein noted that the levy had been placed on the ballot twice before and has been defeated each time.
He noted the financial situation of the district, pointing out that they lost 100 students this school year. As a result, they learned in October that the district's state funding had decreased by about $600,000.
Stein added that the loss of enrollment was mostly due to families who have moved away to find better economic opportunities. Treasurer Cyndi Shaw noted that a drop in kindergarten enrollment counted for 25 pupils.
"We have no other choice," Stein said, adding that the district has cut $4 million from the budget in the past three years. The district has been reduced to core courses and has reduced other courses and electives. Stein said there was nothing left to cut.
He said the last operating levy was passed in 1976 and the district could not exist on those earnings.
"We need to get something passed," he said.
Stein said the board hoped to relieve the district's financial straits. They are at a deficit and if the levy fails they would have to continue borrowing from the state.
"We're in fiscal emergency," Stein said.
He credited the district employees, noting the middle and elementary schools have an excellent rating.
"The faculty and non-certified staff have worked hand in hand to do whatever they can to do the very best for our students and the maintenance of our buildings."
This is the third try for an earned income tax levy. Stein said the board had proposed a property tax levy which failed. Surveys suggested an earned income levy might have a better chance of success.
Stein added that the last election saw the levy voted down 70 to 30 percent. He speculated that last election's focus on Issue 2 may have diverted voters' attention from the levy. He added that the district was grateful to voters for approving the renewal of the district's permanent improvement levy, which is necessary for busses, computers, and building repairs necessary for the continuation of school business.
In preparation for the next election, the district plans to reach out to the Alumni Association, and school groups including the parent/teacher organization, the Big Red Touchdown Club, the Chamber of Commerce, community members and parents to provide information and promote the levy.
