Local businesses poured almost $400,000 into the campaign to pass a 6-mill levy for Cincinnati Public Schools, with Procter & Gamble being the most generous with $72,790 in donations.

        The report filed by Cincinnatians Active to Support Education at the Board of Elections on Thursday shows activity through Oct. 18.

        Other big contributors include:

        • Kroger Co., $23,923.

        • Federated Corporate Services, $21,355.

        • General Electric, $18,000.

        • Cincinnati Insurance Companies, FirStar Bank and Western Southern Life Insurance each gave $15,385.

        CASE also received a $125,000 loan from the Cincinnati Business Committee (CBC).

        In total, CASE received donations from businesses and individuals of $431,007.

        CASE carried over $246,540 from earlier in the year.

        The report shows CASE spent $743,258.

        Of that, $350,000 was to pay back loans from the CBC for the March 2000 levy campaign. The difference was spent on television ads, levy signs, consultants, mailings, and general office and campaign expenses, including rent and utilities for a headquarters at Swifton Commons Mall.

        CASE now has a balance of $60,342.

        While the CBC is historically supportive of school levies, this year's campaign also generated many contributions from small businesses. Superintendent Steven Adamowski credits the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce for that support.

        Brewster Rhoads, CASE campaign director, said there are also more individual donors to this year's effort.

        COAST, the Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes, a group that has been critical of the levy, did not file a report.

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