Monday, March 13, 2000
Worst, best schools got levies
Cincinnati among the two that lost
BY ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS — Some of Ohio's best and worst school districts had one thing in common last week: The ones that asked voters for money were successful at the polls.
Of 13 school issues put on the ballot by districts in academic emergency — the lowest of four state rankings — 11 passed, according to an analysis of election results.
Of eight school issues put on the ballot by districts labeled effective — the highest ranking — all passed, the analysis showed.
It was no surprise that districts in effective status, which normally have strong community support, passed their levies, said LeeAnne Rogers, a Department of Education spokeswoman.
“It's definitely good news that communities are supporting schools in spite of or because of the academic emergency status,” she said.
Ms. Rogers said the high passage rate for districts in academic emergency also was good news because of criticism the department received about releasing district report cards only a week before the election.
On Feb. 28, the department mailed about 1.7 million report cards detailing districts' academic performance to parents of public schoolchildren. The election was Tuesday.
“The focus of this campaign was our status,” said West Carrollton Superintendent Rusty Clifford. His districthas met only 8 of 27 standards.
“As big a hole as not passing this levy would have put us in, we didn't want that to be a distractor,” Mr. Clifford said. “We said, "Here's where we're at, we're not proud of where we're at, here's what we're going to do to go forward.' We were very honest about where we've been and how we're moving forward.”
Voters in the 4,200-student district passed a fixed-term, 7.4-mill levy that will generate $3.1 million annually for three years.
The exceptions in the voting for districts in academic emergency were Toledo and Cincinnati, which suffered major levy defeats.
Toledo school officials have said they will have to cut $17.1 million from the budget after voters rejected a new 6.9-mill levy. Toledo has met five of 27 standards.
Voters in Cincinnati passed a 10.9-mill renewal levy that will raise $109 million annually for five years, but rejected a new 6.5-mill permanent levy that would have raised $38 million annually.
District spokeswoman Jan Leslie said the district's academic status probably played a role in the new levy's rejection. Cincinnati has met six of 27 standards.
But several other factors influenced the vote, she said. Tuesday's election featured a record Republican turnout, while Democrats are the district's historic base of support, Ms. Leslie said.
Some voters indicated they were affected by publicity about cost overruns at the new Bengals' stadium. And the threat of a teachers' strike may have hurt, Ms. Leslie said.
The 44,200-student district has increased its academic performance in recent years and improved test scores, dropout rate, attendance and discipline, she said.
“I think there is some sense in some quarters that we are improving, moving in the right direction,” Ms. Leslie said. “We need to be moving faster, no question.”
Schools work to salvage students
Garages, not lots best bet for our pennies
Buchanan back on campaign trail
Weather smiles on parade
Worst, best schools got levies
Cammys carry on
Center funding on shaky ground
Deerfield considers police force
Farmers' opinions to be heard during Tristate April hearing
Lebanon shapes party plans
Medical waste unwanted
Agreement reached on flags at state capitol
Area-made indie film lands veteran actor
Rescuers learned lesson in Colorado
Hate letters' association with church in question
Baby-death study questioned
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
Support wanes for proficiency testing
Traffic stop reveals Mo. robbery warrant
GET TO IT
TRISTATE DIGEST
