By Michael D. Clark
Enquirer staff writer

DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP - Battle lines for one of the most contentious tax levy campaigns in Kings school history crystallized this week when supporters and opponents sounded off during a crowded school board meeting.

The divide stems in part from the overwhelming defeat of a $43 million bond issue last year by voters. Many Kings school officials blamed what they described as a "small but vocal minority" of anti-tax advocates for allegedly spreading misinformation about the operation of the 3,800-student district.

But Del Landis, a former Kings school board member and now an official with a local anti-tax group, reacted to the characterization by telling more than 70 at the meeting that he was "really disappointed with the board."

"You are betraying the very communities that elected you," Landis said in response to the board's support for a 5.9-mill operating levy, which board members endorsed for the November ballot.

Landis, and some others including Kings Board of Education member Toby Darkins, lobbied for a smaller levy as more likely to pass. The board voted 4-1 to move the 5.9-mill levy to the fall ballot, with Darkins casting the lone negative vote.

The board's final vote is set for Aug. 17. The levy would raise annual property taxes for the owner of a $100,000 home by $180.

Last school year was an extraordinary one for the financially troubled Kings school system, which had to deal with a $2 million lead removal - paid for by the federal government - that left the district considering spending an estimated $3 million to replace its athletic stadium used by the football, track and soccer teams. A September windstorm caused more than $300,000 in damage and closed schools for two days, and declining tax revenues and a looming budget deficit prompted $2 million worth of personnel and program cuts during the next two school years.

Last year's defeat of the proposed $43 millionbond issue spurred district officials to conduct an extensive survey of residents That prompted board members to a seek the larger 5.9-mill operating levy rather than a smaller millage that would require a quicker return to the ballot for more money.

"I was glad to see the board make the hard decisions to do the right thing," parent Beth Raines told the board. "I'm tired of these (anti-tax) groups trying to run this district by badgering our board."

E-mail mclark@enquirer.com