By Karen Gutierrez
The Cincinnati Enquirer

FORT THOMAS - Voters here narrowly approved an 11 percent tax hike to boost teacher paychecks. Now that salary plan has hit a snag.

Because of unexpected expenses and the state budget crisis, the Fort Thomas School Board recently put on hold a proposal to give substantial raises again next year.

Teachers already have received increases averaging about 16 percent as a result of the tax hike. For next year, the board had hoped to give another 8 percent, completing the overhaul it touted during the tax campaign.

Now, however, raises of 2.5 percent appear more likely, superintendent Larry Stinson says. That would cost the district about $297,000 next year, compared with $561,000 under the 8 percent plan.

"It's a complicated thing. I'm very concerned about what the public knows and understands and thinks about it," Stinson said.

The school board approved the property tax increase in 2002, but citizens launched a recall campaign. Last year, it was approved by 325 votes out of 5,539 cast.

The school board had long been concerned about teachers in the high-performing district leaving for more money in Ohio. It intends to finish raising salaries, but not necessarily next year, Stinson says.

Among the reasons:

• An unexpected increase of $160,000 in the cost of liability and workers compensation insurance.

• Textbook purchases of about $88,000. The state usually pays for this, but that funding has been cut for several years in a row.

• Fewer teacher retirements than expected. Retirements usually save money for districts, because replacement teachers cost less.

• The state budget stalemate. If Democrats and Republicans cannot agree, the state may operate under Gov. Ernie Fletcher's spending plan, which is not likely to provide much money for teacher raises.

One opponent of the tax increase, parent Theresa Reekers, says she feels betrayed by the apparent change of plans.

Tax supporters used scare tactics to convince people the increase was necessary, Reekers says. Using it to simply offset budget cuts - instead of to keep good teachers in Fort Thomas - isn't right, she said.

But one teacher said she understands the board's predicament. Better to take smaller raises now than to risk layoffs next year, said Janet Jackson, a teacher at Highlands High School.

"Class sizes would go up, and I don't think the community wants that, either," Jackson said.

E-mail kgutierrez@enquirer.com