Wednesday, January 20, 1999
School leaders worry voters won't pay for improvements
BY DANA DiFILIPPO
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati Public Schools leaders worried last week that voters would never approve the $92 million to $97.5 million tax increase the district says it needs to renovate schools, achieve equity for under-funded neighborhood-school students and keep up with inflation.
Tuesday, school officials wondered whether they can responsibly ask for anything less.
Residents demand that the struggling, 47,400-student district improve drastically, officials say. Asking for less than they need to ensure lasting change would force officials to return to an increasingly disillusioned public for money in coming years, risking chances for future tax approvals.
The debate arose at a meeting Tuesday of the school board's equitable resources planning and development task force, as district Treasurer Richard Gardner outlined options for a tax increase officials aim to put on the May ballot.
District leaders will continue talks today at district headquarters, 2651 Burnet Ave., Corryville. Board committees will meet at 11:30 a.m., and the full board, 12:30 p.m.
Mr. Gardner told task force members the district needs a $38 million tax increase to maintain current levels of spending and another $30 million to erase the spending gap between neighborhood schools and popular magnet programs.
Building improvements are expected to cost at least $720 million — $600 million for kindergarten through eighth-grade facilities and $120 million for high schools.
Officials hope to persuade taxpayers to pick up half that tab. The other half would be a combination of district, city, Hamilton County and state funds.
For a resident with a home valued at $100,000, the proposed increase could mean an extra $210 in taxes a year if the district merely maintains its current spending levels — or $555 a year if the plan includes building improvements and equity spending.
If voters approve a $92 million-$97.5 million increase, the district won't need another increase for six to seven years. Officials now seek increases every three to four years.
One resident Tuesday urged officials to go after everything they need now.
“The momentum is: Fix the schools and put good quality education in those schools,” said Barry Cholak, a North Fairmount resident and former school board candidate.
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