NORWOOD — When Jeanette Rupert was a Norwood High School student in the early 1940s, the community made sure there was money for her education.

        Now, she says, it's her turn to support the school system that educated her, her three children and grandchildren. That's why the 1945 Norwood High grad is supporting renewal of a $1,758,000, five-year emergency levy that will appear on the May 7 ballot.

        “Somebody did the job when I was in school, and now it's my turn,” said Ms. Rupert, who is serving as treasurer of the Norwood City Schools Tax Levy Committee, a group working toward passage of the levy.

        “If you have a good school system, you have a good community.”

        Cutbacks could come as early as August if residents fail to renew the levy, which was first approved by voters at 8.3 mills in 1992, then renewed at 6.72 mills in 1996.

        It represents about 8 percent of the district's $21.5 million general fund, said Cary Furniss, treasurer of the Norwood Schools.

        “We need to pass the levy to continue the progress we've made and keep in place the programs we have and maintain neighborhood schools,” said Superintendent Barbara Rider.

        Discussions on what cuts would be imposed if the levy should fail will begin at Thursday's Norwood Board of Education meeting, set for 6 p.m. in administrative offices, 2132 Williams Ave.

        Reductions could begin as early as this fall, said Ms. Rider.

        “If the levy doesn't pass, we stop collecting in December,” Mr. Furniss said. “It would be irresponsible of us not to reduce spending if the money wasn't going to continue.”

        Without the levy, the district could end the 2002-03 school year in the black but would be facing a $200,000 deficit in June 2004 that would increase to $3.8 million the following year, Mr. Furniss said.

        If approved, taxes would remain unchanged and collections would continue in January.

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