Butler County voters in four communities will go to the polls May 8 to decide whether to renew — or approve new — operating levies in the Edgewood, Middletown, Fairfield and Monroe schools. Middletown voters will also be asked to approve a combination issue to improve buildings.

        In Edgewood, the decision Monday to resubmit a 6.9-mill operating levy comes one week after a split 2-2 vote by the school board not to go back on the ballot following levy defeats last November and again two weeks ago.

        But after listening to comments from parents, teachers and aides during a special, two-hour meeting attended by 55 people Monday, the board voted unanimously to resubmit the levy. If approved, the $2.13 million levy would keep the district solvent for a minimum of three years and would cost the owner of a $100,000 house an additional $211 annually, according to Treasurer Ryan Slone.

        The board is faced with cutting $1.2 million from the 2001-02 budget, including 20-25 employees who, by law, would have to be informed by April 30, Superintendent Dale Robertson said.

        Community members told the board that until people know specifically what would be cut from the budget if the levy is defeated, it would not pass.

        Mr. Robertson said the specific list would be prepared no later than the second week in March. Cuts could include high-school busing, after-school activities, field trips, staff and programs.

        In Middletown, voters are being asked to renew at 4.35 mills their share of a three-year operating levy first approved in 1995 and renewed in 1998 when the Monroe and Middletown school districts were a combined district. Middletown's share as a separate district is about $4 million and Monroe's is $930,418.)

        Last week, Monroe voted to resubmit its share of the levy for renewal, but this time for five years instead of three. The issue will not increase taxes in either district.

        The second issue Middletown voters will decide is a 4.1-mill combination issue that includes a $30 million bond issue to add classrooms and refurbish schools, along with a 10-year permanent-improvement levy that would raise $18.5 million over its life to maintain schools.

        Also on Monday, the Fairfield Board of Education voted to put a 2.9 mill operating levy on the ballot. The $3 million the levy would raise annually would be enough to maintain programs for the next three years.

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