Tuesday, August 15, 2000
School for arts approved by board
CPS, agency will fund Over-the-Rhine campus
By Andrea Tortora
The Cincinnati Enquirer
A public-private partnership that will fund a $52 million arts school in Over-the-Rhine was unanimously approved by the Cincinnati Board of Education on Monday.
But board members could not agree on a levy amount to put before voters in November, so they will tackle that issue again at their meeting on Aug. 21.
The arts campus deal means a new, K-12 school will be built next to Music Hall with $26 million from the school district and $26 million from the nonprofit Greater Cincinnati Arts and Education Center.
The arts group board of trustees now will start an aggressive fund-raising campaign, arts board president Stanley Aronoff said.
“The unanimous vote is a tremendous testament to the worth of this project,” Mr. Aronoff said.
School board members attending the meeting called the opportunity to partner with the community a positive step in the district's future. John Gilligan and Florence Newell were not present.
Harriet Russell said the alliance will allow the district to stretch its money.
“For those who think this is a fairness issue, there is no fairness issue,” Ms. Russell said. “It is the commitment of this board to renovate all facilities throughout the district.”
Residents of Over-the-Rhine expressed concern that the district will spend so much money on one building.
“The district needs a plan for all of the schools,” said Katy Heins, a member of Save Our Schools.
Proposed in 1996, the arts campus is the brainchild of Cincinnati Pops Conductor Erich Kunzel. He envisions
students working side by side with professional musicians and artists as part of their regular school day.
The building would replace two schools — Schiel Elementary and the School for the Creative and Performing Arts. It would front Central Parkway.
Proponents of the arts campus will now kick off a major fund-raising campaign. The group already has raised $3 million. Under the agreement, if the $26 million is not raised within a year the deal is off.
On the issue of the levy amount, the board took three different votes on three different levy amounts — from 6 mills to 5.5 mills to 5 mills. At least five votes are needed to get the issue on the ballot. None of the measures passed.
Ms. Russell said she would support only a 5-mill levy. Sally Warner said she would not support anything less than 6 mills. The 5-mill vote was the least popular, with Lynn Marmer, Ms. Warner and Rick Williams voting no.
Superintendent Steven Adamowski said he recommended the board support a 6.4-mill levy that would allow the district to increase funding to its neighborhood schools, which now receive the least amount of money per pupil.
Tom Brinkman, with the Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes, said any levy higher than 2.1 percent would divide the community.
Rick Beck, Cincinnati Federation of Teachers president, said the board should be ashamed to consider anything less than 6 mills, which would generate $35.8 million a year.
“I don't know why you want to starve the district,” Mr. Beck said. “You are supposed to lead the district, not pander to the least objectionable idea.”
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