By Cindy Kranz
The Cincinnati Enquirer

This is the sixth in a series of stories previewing the Feb. 4 special election.

MOUNT HEALTHY - Mount Healthy educators will try for a third time to pass a levy when voters go to the polls Tuesday.

After levies failed in August and November, the Mount Healthy City School District returns to the ballot with a 6.95-mill operating levy that would generate $2.2 million per year.

If approved, the owner of a $100,000 home would pay an extra $213 a year in property taxes.

John Roper, a 42-year-old engineering manager with four children in the district, plans to support the levy even if it means more money out of his wallet. He hears a lot of talk in the media about how the state's school funding system is unfair.

"At the grass-roots level, where the rubber meets the road, it's up to the people in the community to do something about the schools if they want to have good schools," he said.

Larry Berner of Mount Healthy will vote against the levy, although he's supported school issues in the past.

"My kids went through (the schools), and I paid for them. I'm tired of paying for everyone else," Berner said.

"Sixty-seven percent of my taxes go to the schools. It seems like a lot of money disappears, and no one knows where it goes."

After the levy was defeated Nov. 5, the school board cut busing Jan. 1 for Mount Healthy high school students, both public and private. That saves the district $40,000 through the end of the school year.

If the levy passes, busing would be restored Feb. 10.

Regardless of Tuesday's outcome, the district has to cut $436,000 for staff, which translates to eight to 10 full-time teaching positions and some administrative and support staff in 2003-04.

"The potential loss of teachers will impact some class sizes in certain buildings," Superintendent David Horine said. Average class size is now 20.

If the levy passes, the district could avoid further personnel cuts, Horine said. What's more, the district would get back on track purchasing appropriate classroom materials and supplies, he said.

If the levy fails, busing will not return this school year.

Mount Healthy City School District residents can learn about the school levy by logging onto the district's Web site at www.mthcs.org and clicking the levy link.

Sue Kiesewetter contributed.

E-mail ckranz@enquirer.com.