Friday, July 09, 1999
Talawanda schools to receive $1.5M from state
BY SUE KIESEWETTER
Enquirer Contributor
OXFORD — A $1.5 million payment from the state will be funneled into the Talawanda City Schools' general fund this year, the result of a change in the way districts with tax-exempt property are compensated by the state.
The payment is given to school districts with large tracts of state-owned, tax-exempt land under a 1991 law that former Talawanda Superintendent Dennis Leone helped write.
Until this year the money was given only to eligible districts if there was a carry-over balance in the Ohio Department of Education's budget after all state basic aid payments were made. Talawanda qualifies for the money because Miami University lies within district boundaries and pays no taxes.
But unlike past years, legislators guaranteed the payments this year and through the next two budget years regardless of the carry-over, said Talawanda Treasurer James Rowan. Continuation of the payments past 2001 is uncertain.
The district typically uses the money for one-time projects or textbook adoptions. This year, however, the money is going into the general fund and is not earmarked for a specific project.
Previous payments have paid for roof repairs, a lump sum payment to teachers, the purchase of musical instru ments and athletic uniforms, installation of a security system at Talawanda High School and other similar projects.
This year the funds were included in calculations to determine how much money the board will ask voters to approve in a November ballot issue. That tax issue also includes bonds to pay for a high school and building renovations, Mr. Rowan said.
“We were well enough off that we could survive without it,” said William Vollmer, president of the Talawanda Board of Education. “It was very nice to use it for one-time things. But to keep us going we had to move it over to the general fund.”
This year's allocation, which is slightly less than last year's, brings the total the district has received since the program began to just over $9 million.
This year's allocation is slightly less than last year's. The amount has varied between $1.2 million and $1.6 million.
“This money has allowed us to stay off the ballot,” Mr. Rowan said. “We'll use the money for continued operations and to fund state mandates.”
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