WEST CHESTER TWP. — The Lakota Local Schools this year will spend $4.9 million more than it receives in state aid and taxes, even after cutting spending by more than $2 million.

        By using reserves, the district will end the school year with a $3.3 million balance — or enough money to operate this fast-growing district of 15,154 students for 11 days.

        That's why educators say passage of a single 6.74-mill levy that includes money for operations and to build two new schools is critical. Without the $8.3 million the operating-levy portion would raise each year, administrators say severe cuts would have to be made.

        At Monday's board of edu cation meeting, Superintendent Kathleen Klink noted that 85 percent of the district's budget goes toward salaries and benefits.

        In presenting a five-year forecast, Lakota Treasurer Alan Hutchinson said the deficit spending will hurt the district's bond rating and if a levy doesn't pass, could bring scrutiny from the Ohio Department of Education. The first step would be to request certification of the deficit from the auditor's office along with developing a plan to reduce spending for the next three years.

        “We run the risk of ... being put in fiscal watch or fiscal emergency” by the state, Mr. Hutchinson said. Should that happen, the board could lose discretion over the budget, with many programs being cut to state minimum standards.

        Mr. Hutchinson said cuts would have to come from several areas because reducing the budget in any one area would not be enough to address the projected deficits, estimated at $1.8 million in 2003.

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