By Karen Vance
Enquirer contributor

STONELICK TOWNSHIP - All spending not pre-approved will stop in Clermont Northeastern Local Schools.

That was the result of a unanimous vote (5-0) at Thursday's board of education meeting in which a spending freeze was approved for the central Clermont County district. The district's $1.2 million permanent improvement levy was rejected by voters earlier this month by more than a 2-to-1 margin.

The district will continue to pay salaries and utilities, but any additional expenditures not covered under a contract (supplies, field trips and the like) must first be approved by the board, said treasurer Brian Switzer.

Voters rejected the 4.9-mill levy, 70 percent to 30 percent. The levy, which would have cost the owner of a $100,000 home an additional $150 per year, would have paid for textbooks, building maintenance and technology updates, and cover $800,000 in pending deficits.

The board also passed a resolution asking Switzer to begin drafting resolutions to put the same levy back on the ballot in either August or November. The members plan to select a date at their next meeting, April 19.

"What's happening in our district is happening across Ohio and the country," said board member Jayne Mummert. "I encourage you to ask questions, find out about the situation."

While an actual budget deficit for the 2,000-student district isn't expected to hit until the 2005-06 school year, board members said they want to discuss cuts for the upcoming school year that would soften the blow, should the levy fail again.

"We're trying to keep from cutting sports," said board member Mike Freeman. "I feel this district has been punished enough, with the reconfiguration last year and the $900,000 in cuts we've already made."

Last year, the district eliminated five teaching jobs, switched to an all-day, alternate day kindergarten program to cut transportation costs, and reconfigured district buildings, said Gary Scarth, director of curriculum.

The district superintendent and treasurer offices, 2792 U.S. 50, Stonelick Township, will host an open house 6-8 p.m. Monday to answer questions about the district's financial state.

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E-mail kvance@fuse.net