Wednesday, August 09, 2000

2 levies pass for schools; 1 fails

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Bonds for Milford rejected

By Jennifer Mrozowski
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        Voters on Tuesday passed school levies by slim margins for St. Bernard-Elmwood Place and Three Rivers schools, but rejected a levy for Norwood schools and a bond issue in Milford.

Bev Smith of Milford (right) signs in for poll worker Elizabeth Vance to vote Tuesday. (Luis Sanchez photo) | ZOOM |

        Norwood Superintendent Barbara Rider said she was disappointed.

        Voters in that district denied a 7.68-mill emergency operating levy to raise $2.4 million a year for five years, 1,477 votes to 867.

        That levy would have covered inflationary increases in operational costs, and provided for pay raises and training for teachers and staff, a school official said.

        The district has already cut about $2 million from its budget over the past two years, board president Susan Geselbracht said.

        The request included renewal of an expiring 2.7-mill levy, plus 4.98 new mills to raise $1.6 million a year.

        The levy would have cost taxpayers with a home valued at $84,000 an additional $128 a year and was needed to maintain programs and operations. Ms. Geselbracht said.

MONEY ISSUES

Milford: Failed   Three Rivers: Passed   Norwood: Failed   Elmwood Place-St. Bernard: Passed

        Failure of the levy means the district will likely go back to the voters in November, Mrs. Rider said. Because of past cuts, the district will not have to make more this year. However, if a November levy fails, that would mean “devastating and substantial cuts for the 2001 school year,” Mrs. Rider said.

        Milford sought its 5.3-mill bond issue to finance construction and a wide range of improvements, said Superintendent John S. Frye.

        The bond issue would have cost the owner of a $100,000 home $53 a year. It failed 4,468 to 3,379.

        Mr. Frye said the money was needed because the school district is out of space, in part because of growth the district has experienced — about 50 new students a year for the past decade. Teachers are conducting classes in trailers and portable classrooms.

        “The board of education is going to have to take a step back and evaluate the situation,” Mr. Frye said. “I can't tell you if we'll go back in November.”

        The St. Bernard-Elmwood Place levy passed with 795-710, or 53 percent in favor. The levy is a 7.86-mill emergency operating levy to raise $1.67 million annual ly for the next four years.

        It will cost the owner of a $100,000 home an additional $228 a year. The money is intended to offset revenues lost through the closing of a Procter & Gamble Co. facility in St. Bernard. The loss of that tax base will cost the school district $1.3 million a year, said Superintendent Jim Thomas.

        “We've always placed our faith in the people of this school district and they have never let us down,” Mr. Thomas said.

        Mr. Thomas said the school district plans to implement a continuous improvment plan to ensure quality education.

        Three Rivers' request for a 7.89-mill continuing operating levy had failed initially in March. The vote Tuesday was 1,641 to 1,424, or 54 percent in favor.

        This levy will cost the owner of a $100,000 home an additional $84 in taxes a year.

        “I appreciate the confidence and support of our residents,” Superintendent Dr. Richard Scherer said. “This means we can continue the school year with quality programs.”

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