FORT THOMAS — The school board is poised to approve a plan next month that would raise the $25-per-sport athletic fee.

        The size of the increase — which would affect students at Highlands Middle and High schools — is expected to be voted on at the July 8 Fort Thomas school board meeting.

COMING MEETINGS

Meetings to discuss the financial challenges facing Fort Thomas Independent Schools. The June 26 meeting starts at 9 a.m.; all others begin at 7 p.m.    • Wednesday, fellowship hall, Highland Hills Baptist Church.    • Thursday, Philip N. Carrico Branch, Campbell County Public Library.    • June 25, fellowship hall, First Christian Church.    • June 26, council chambers, Fort Thomas City Hall.    • July 2, undercroft, St. Catherine of Siena Church.    • July 3, fellowship hall, First Presbyterian Church.

        “I think there's no question the fee is going to increase,” said school board chairman Brad Fennell.

        “It's important to emphasize this is not an elaborate fee that allows us to do anything tremendously expensive with these programs,” he said. “It's simply money that we have to have because we have trimmed down the budget by removing transportation” (to and from athletic events).

        The board on Monday postponed a vote to increase the fee from $25 to $50. Officials said they want to create a plan that is sensitive to students who want to play a sport, but can't afford the fee.

        Amy Pendery has two children — Ben, a sophomore, who runs track and cross country and plays baseball; and Liza, a seventh-grader, who plays soccer and runs track.

        “I don't mind paying the extra $25. I feel that the athletic programs are excellent in Fort Thomas, and I think it's worth the extra money to provide the services that we need,” Mrs. Pendery said.

        “But I also feel very strongly that if the residents of Fort Thomas are willing to ante up for the sports program that we should also be more than willing to raise our taxes if need be to improve our current situation educationally,” she said.

        Mr. Fennell said the district continues to struggle to find money, a problem he blames on inequities in the state educational funding formula.

        The Kentucky Department of Education's funding formula — designed to equalize funding — is based on local property values. Districts with high property values, such as Fort Thomas, bring in more local taxes, so they get less state money.

        “With that struggle, we've tried desperately to maintain our current staffing as it is,” Mr. Fennell said. “We have had to make some cuts, but we tried to make them as minimal as possible.”

        Just weeks ago, the board voted to slash $500,000 from next school year's budget, mainly because property assessments in Fort Thomas rose about 20 percent. So, state funding is going down accordingly.

        “This is the result of an inequitable formula,” Mr. Fennell said. “We're living on a year-to-year situation with this budget because of the lack of funding that we're getting from the state.”

        Beginning Wednesday, the school board will hold a series of community meetings to discuss the financial challenges facing the district.

Best path to mission is by bus
Bishop's words restore some faith
Priest won't retire, will replace bishop
Flag Day takes on a new poignancy
Add first lady to the guest list
Alleged robber's widow sued over stolen money
City's downside spelled out
Douglas cites his concern for city
Drownings claim two toddlers, woman
Five gardens on display during tour
Minority students' test scores improve
Obituary: Jerry A. 'Jay' Ruberg, 73, founded Jay Tool & Die Co.
River Sweep planned Saturday
Survey: Traffic Blue Ash's one downer
Tristate A.M. Report
BRONSON: Enhance me
SMITH AMOS: Traffic ruckus
WELLS: Keep printing
City works to shape image
Sewer plan survives - for now
W. Chester rejects church as too large
Zoning rejection may kill project
Judge pushes back Traficant sentencing
Highlands sports fees may go up
Kentucky News Briefs
Ky. gets three of new federal scenic routes
UK researchers test lung cancer vaccine