Cincinnati's 75 public schools will get an extra $34.4 million in their budgets this fall, thanks to the 6-mill levy passed by voters in November.

        The new money will be used to:

        • Reduce class size in grades K-3.

        • Give neighborhood schools the same funding that Montessori schools receive.

        • Boost the general amount each school receives per child.

        • Fund maintenance work.

        The levy allows the district to plan for a target general fund budget for 2001-02 of $428.1 million, a 13.5 percent increase from the current $377 million budget.

        Board of Education members Wednesday discussed the district's financial situation in a workshop session with Superintendent Steven Adamowski and Treasurer Michael Geoghegan.

        The district must approve a final budget by July 1. Even as the Ohio legislature discusses changes to how the state funds schools — those changes could mean a loss for CPS — the district is assuming it will receive at least $151 million, or a 3 percent increase.

        Mr. Geoghegan said the district will adjust its projections if the legislature changes the amount of money the district will receive.

        “This way we can show, if there's a cut, how we will be affected,” he said.

        The new spending plans keeps promises the district made to voters in November, board member Lynn Marmer said. Neighborhood schools, which traditionally received the least amount, will now get the same as some of the district's more exclusive schools.

        This means $8.6 million for neighborhood schools, which will receive $4,629 per child, up from $4,097 this year.

        Other levy funds will be spent this way:

        • $11.7 million to reduce class size to 18 students — from as high as 30 — in all kindergarten through third-grade classes.

        • $9.8 million to permanently increase per-pupil funding by $180.

        • $4.4 million for a one-time restoration of $180 per child. Schools will use this money to buy textbooks, instructional supplies and classroom equipment and to make building repairs.

        • $6 million for school maintenance projects.

        “Whatever has been in the past in terms of equity, resources and funding is not the future,”Ms. Marmer said. “This is a way we can resolve inequities.”

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