By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

TRENTON - Money raised from a 6.9-mill levy that voters in the Edgewood School District will be asked to approve in March would help pay for an increasing student enrollment and technology improvements.

On Monday the Edgewood Board of Education voted to take the first step in the two-step process by declaring a need and asking the Butler County auditor to certify the millage.

"We're doing this because of our five-year forecast," said John Snyder, board president. "We can look down the road and see where we need the money."

Snyder said the board recently extended the contracts of its two bargaining units by one year. Next year the board will begin negotiations and would like to negotiate a three-year contract if money is available for salary increases.

The $2.49 million continuing levy would be used for day-to-day operations and to update the district's technology, said Superintendent Tom York.

If approved, the owner of a $100,000 home would pay an additional $190 to $195 annually in new taxes, depending on the final millage, said Brian Rabe, Edgewood treasurer.

"We're not in a dire emergency situation right now, but we don't want to get there. We feel like we're doing a lot of good things that we want to continue," York said. "If we don't pass a levy in 2004, we will have a deficit in the 2005-2006 school year."

Enrollment grew by about 200 students this year to almost 3,400. Projections call for an additional 500-600 students over the next three years, York said, based largely on housing permits. Trenton has issued permits or approvals for 784 additional homes.

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