By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

FAIRFIELD - Faced with a $2.8 million deficit in the next year, the Fairfield school board voted Thursday to ask voters to approve a 6.9-mill operating levy they plan to put on the March 2 ballot.

If approved, the continuing levy is expected to bring about $9.1 million annually to school coffers, enough to keep the district solvent for the next two to three years. Taxes on a $100,000 home would increase $211.31 a year with passage of the levy.

"Our district is in a desperate financial position," said Superintendent Robert Farrell. "We listened to our constituents and our voters who are tired of these levies and told us don't come to us until you absolutely need the money. Well, we absolutely need the money for next school year."

A failed levy would result in cuts of nearly $3 million, including high school busing, field trips, after school sports/clubs/music programs and closing the schools when classes end each day.

A $50 instructional fee would also be charged for all students in grades K-6 to pay for materials.

"These are cuts that no administrator or employee in Fairfield school district wants to happen but we are faced with few choices," Farrell said.

"I can't imagine a district where the children have to do without what we are forced to recommend."

Parent and businessman Nick Dadabo offered his support of the levy and urged residents to complain to legislators about funding cuts and actions that will result in a $6 million loss to the Fairfield Schools over the next five years.

"Legislators are not listening to the Supreme Court," Dadabo said. "They've seen it (funding crisis) coming for 20 years."

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