Volunteers are knocking on thousands of doors, making calls, distributing literature by the reams and rallying on street corners.

In Fairfield, where the levy issue has polarized the community, some are turning to a higher power. Moms on a Mission, a pro-levy group, is holding a prayer service Sunday.

"We're desperate, and we've done everything we can," said Jeni Brodsky, co-president of the group. "We think it's time to turn it over to somebody more than us. We're praying for our whole community and all of our children."

At stake are tens of millions of dollars for cash-hungry districts, some of which have lost one or more levies this year.

For those districts, levy losses will mean even further cuts in staff, programs, maintenance and transportation.

Winton Woods, making its third attempt to pass a levy this year, has already cut 41 staff members and will cut more if this levy loses. Some teaching positions for art, music and physical education would be eliminated, translating into less time for those classes.

INFOGRAPHIC

• Summary of school funding issues (PDF file)

Aaron Schmits, a 25-year-old art teacher at Lakeside Elementary, said a levy loss could force him to look for another job.

Schmits, a teacher for four years - two at Winton Woods - said he loves "the fact I'm paid to make art with children. It would be a disappointment for a kid to go to school and not have art, music and gym."

Lakota levy supporters are multitasking while going door-to-door this weekend. Residents will be asked to support the levy and sign petitions seeking tax relief for senior citizens. The petitions urge the governor and Ohio lawmakers to increase the income-means test and the exemption for seniors on the homestead exemption.

Supporters of the Cincinnati Public Schools' levy renewal rallied at City Hall on Tuesday, and will distribute literature this weekend.

"We're still working to build visibility and help people understand this is just a renewal that won't raise their taxes," said Jan Leslie, campaign manager for Cincinnatians Active to Support Education.

But opposition from two school board members and other community groups has turned the campaign into a battle for levy proponents.

"I am not supporting this levy because the board of education has not kept its promises to the community," board member Melanie Bates said Tuesday. "We are asking the community to hold the school district accountable."

Carving a 'Yes O'Lantern'

Some districts are combining campaigning with Halloween. Finneytown levy supporters will distribute postcards and small treats door-to-door Saturday and Sunday. Today, Moms on a Mission in Fairfield is having a "Yes O'Lantern" carving party, where people can carve "yes" into their pumpkins.

Anti-levy groups also are making their voices heard this week.

Citizens for Accountability and Results in Education (CARE) and Seniors Taking Action for Responsible Spending are teaming up for rallies in Fairfield and Fairfield Township this weekend. Some 15,000 fliers will be distributed at the events and door-to-door.

"Our goal is to just make everybody aware," said Arnold Engel, founder of CARE. "We've had a rally every weekend, Saturdays and Sundays, this past month."

Citizens for Responsible Taxation, opposed to the Three Rivers levy, will distribute fliers before the election, but Citizens for Responsible Fiscal Management, which opposes the Sycamore levy, doesn't plan any last-minute activities.

"We rested our case a week ago," said George Rehfeldt, spokesman for the group. "The school board still hasn't answered the question (of) what they're going to do in the future with regard to bringing the teacher salaries from No. 1 (in this area) to something that is more rational."

In a letter mailed to residents Tuesday, the Sycamore Board of Education said it recognizes that teacher salary is an issue.

"We are obligated to honor the collective-bargaining agreements with our unions as they currently exist and until such time they expire," the letter said. "As all administrative staff took a pay freeze this school year, we anticipate that all other employees will also bear the burden of the new economic realities and develop an understanding of the new financial direction necessary for Sycamore Schools."

Levy activities

A sampling of last-minute campaign events through Monday:

CINCINNATI

Friday: Rally for Issue 32, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, downtown.

CLERMONT NORTHEASTERN

Monday: Grow Our Future Rally, 4-6 p.m. at U.S. 50 and South Broadway.

FAIRFIELD

Today: "Yes O'Lantern" carving party, 5-6:30 p.m. behind Central Elementary, 5058 Dixie Highway. Sponsor: Moms on a Mission.

Thursday: Rally outside of Fairfield Freshman School, 5050 Dixie Highway, 12-2 p.m. Sponsor: Seniors Taking Action for Responsible Spending.

Saturday: Gathering 8 a.m. to noon, outside Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast at Fairfield Middle School, 1111 Nilles Road. Sponsor: Moms on a Mission.

Saturday-Sunday: Rally in response to vandalism against anti-levy proponents, 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Founders Park, Nilles Road and Hicks Boulevard; 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Morris Road at Dust Commander Drive, Fairfield Township. Sponsors: Citizens for Accountability and Results and Education, and Seniors Taking Action for Responsible Spending.

Sunday: Community Prayer and Worship Event, 1:15-2 p.m., Receptions Banquet & Conference Center, 5975 Boymel Drive, Fairfield. Sponsor: Moms on a Mission.

Monday: Candlelight Vigil, 5-6:30 p.m. Meet at Fairfield Middle School, 1111 Nilles Road. Supporters will line Nilles Road, Ohio 4 to Pleasant Avenue. Sponsor: Moms on a Mission.

FINNEYTOWN

Monday: Hands Across Finneytown 2004, 4:30-6 p.m. Rally for the operating levy. Locations: (Going north on Winton Road) Whitaker: Begin at Whitaker and end at Galbraith; Cottonwood: Begin at Galbraith and end at Hempstead; Brent: Begin at Hempstead and end at Compton; Jr. and Sr. High: Fill in gaps on Winton Road.

KINGS

Today: Public forum on school financing and levy campaign, 7-8:30 p.m., Kings High School auditorium, 5500 Columbia Road.

LAKOTA

Thursday: Superintendent Kathleen Klink continues a series of coffees to answer levy questions, 7 p.m., Freedom Elementary, 6035 Beckett Ridge Blvd.

NORTHWEST

Saturday: Crowd the Corner, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at key intersections: Thriftway on North Bend; Cheviot and Galbraith; Colerain and Galbraith; Northgate Mall; Taylor (Springdale Road); Northwest High School (Pippin Road); Pleasant Run Middle School (Pippin Road); and Pleasant Run Elementary (Hamilton Road). Sponsor: Invest in Our Community levy committee.

READING

Sunday: Levy Parade, 2:30 p.m. Meet at 2 p.m., Haffey Field House, West Street, to decorate cars for parade.

SYCAMORE

Saturday: Rally for Sycamore, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Sycamore High School soccer field. Sponsor: Community Leadership for a Strong Sycamore.

THREE RIVERS

Monday: Rally for the 'Rivers, 4:45-5:45 p.m. at key intersections: Main & Dining streets, Addyston; Shady Lane and Bridgetown Road, Miami Heights; Miami Avenue and State Road, Cleves; Miami Avenue and Brower Road, North Bend.

WINTON WOODS

Saturday: Value Education March, 10 a.m., Winton Woods High School, 1231 W. Kemper Road.

Denise Smith Amos and Jennifer Mrozowski contributed. E-mail ckranz@enquirer.com