Thursday, September 30, 1999
Push for school tax focuses on pluses
BY DANA DiFILIPPO
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati Public Schools officials had a straightforward philosophy in deciding to seek a $24 million levy this fall: Pick battles big enough to matter and small enough to win.
Wednesday morning, the district assembled about 100 school supporters and community leaders they hope will be soldiers in that battle. At a breakfast meeting at the district's Corryville headquarters, the soldiers got their marching orders.
Spread the word about the progress, however slight, the district's 45,600 students made in the past year, Superintendent Steven Adamowski charged.
“We are at a very fragile crossroads. We have made some gains. We have a plan in place but we cannot be in a state of crisis continually,” Mr. Adamowski said. “We need you to be sustainers of reform.”
The 4.5-mill levy, which assumes the district's recent trend of declining enrollment will continue, is the smallest tax increase the district has sought in 15 years to fund operating costs. It will cover inflation, restore a $180-per-pupil cut and help pay for building improvements. It would cost the owner of a $75,000 house $103.
Recent performance gains — fewer suspensions, rising proficiency scores and falling dropout rates — should persuade residents to support the levy in November, Mr. Adamowski said.
“The biggest challenge to the passage of our levy is the large number of people who have given up on our public schools,” he noted.
Most listeners expressed support for district initiatives.
But one Over-the-Rhine resident warned that some residents are tired of fighting the district's more unpopular reforms. One example: moving the School for Creative and Performing Arts closer to Music Hall, which could displace the Drop-Inn Center, a homeless shelter.
“The state of our neighborhood in Over-the-Rhine also is at a fragile crossroads,” said Bonnie Neumeier of the Over-the-Rhine Community Council. “Please do not pit public education against the public service to our most vulnerable citizens. Work with us as a neighbor.”
Mr. Adamowski acknowledged that some district reforms will be controversial.
The district's goals for 1999-2000 include:
• Continuing to intervene in or overhaul failing schools. The district closed two failing schools and redesigned two others last year. Bond Hill and Windsor elementaries are targeted for overhaul this year. Administrators also aim to launch a redesign plan of the district's struggling neighborhood high schools this year.
• Implementing a “third-grade guarantee.” Under Ohio's new Fourth-Grade Guarantee, two thirds of CPS' fourth-graders would flunk because of poor reading skills. Under a third-grade guarantee, third-graders unable to read to grade level would be held back a year to boost literacy.
• Commissioning a state or federal group to audit the district's special education spending, the fastest growing part of its budget, to recommend cost savings.
• Developing strategies to recruit better teachers and train employees to be good leaders. Contract negotiations with the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers also begin this fall.
• Implementing the $697 million facilities master plan. The district spent $23 million this summer on roof repairs, fire alarms and corrections to building/fire violations. With more than $120 million expected from Hamilton County and city officials, more repairs are to be made.
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