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Little Miami levy fails for a third time

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By Marie Rossiter, Staff Writer Updated 10:01 PM Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Little Miami voters said no to a new tax levy and the district faces deeper cuts and a state takeover of its finances.

Voters rejected the five-year, 7.95-mill incremental levy by a vote of 52 percent to 47 percent Tuesday, Nov. 3. The levy would have increased taxes $243 per year on a $100,000 home — 20 percent less than what the district asked for in May. In 2010, the amount would go up another $38 each year for the next four years.

Voters rejected a continuous, 1 percent earned income tax last November and a three-year, 9.95-mill levy in May.

“We’re disappointed,” said Superintendent Dan Bennett. “The voters made it clear this is not an option right now. It is understandable in these difficult economic times. We were optimistic we were going to rally in the end, so this is tough times for us.”

Little Miami schools already slashed their budget by more than $5 million — or 17 percent — from the school budget. This included closing two schools, cutting more than 80 jobs, stopping all art, music and physical education classes in the elementary grades, reducing bus service and starting a full pay-to-participate program for extracurricular activities.

Without passage of a levy, the district faces “fiscal emergency” as soon as summer 2010, according to Bennett. The state, rather than the local district, would be responsible for developing a recovery plan which would include numerous cuts. Under fiscal emergency, the district can make recommendations, but the state will get to decide how to move forward.

Bennett said Little Miami will close its buildings to community use later this month. The administrative team and board of education will also evaluate any other cost reductions that can be made. No decision has been made at this time to return to the ballot.

“We believe the outcome of this election emphasizes the need for a school funding reform in the state of Ohio,” said Bennett. “Districts are forced to continually return to their local communities, asking for support of tax issues. The result is division.”

Under a fiscal emergency, Bennett said the following measures were likely:

* School buildings would be shut down after school hours for all non-school and community related activities, including scouts, community leagues, etc, as of Nov. 29.

* All extracurricular activities will be eliminated as of the 2010-11 school year.

* Graduation requirements would be cut from 24 credits to 20 credits

* All school libraries would likely be closed and staff positions would be reduced.

* Special classes, such as Advanced Placement, would be reduced or eliminated

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4542 or mrossiter@coxohio.com.

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5 days later and yes voters still won't step up to the plate and give money. Why would they vote yes to take my money but not give up their own? Now they want another levy! No means no. How many times do we have to say it.

notax42
8:22 AM, 11/14/2009

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Roll Call,

How many of you YES voters will actually will donate the money you would have had to pay if the levy had passed? Put your money where your mouth is and have 100% of the yes voters donate to the school. Better yet, get them all together for a group shot in front of the school with a huge check that shows the amount being given.

VotedNoToLevy
10:01 AM, 11/9/2009

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These traitors cut everything but the root cause; the public employee pension ponzi scheme.

Bob
4:49 PM, 11/5/2009

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concerned parent

Education is most important. I couldn't agree more.

Here is my question.

According to the auditors office, a home that cost $250 is currently paying $1600 per year for school tax. How is that broken out? And what is it used for?

J. Calypso
11:03 AM, 11/5/2009

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I think there needs to be put out at the end of the month a list of all of the money that is given to the school that is never talked about.Every time a developer builds a house in Hamilton township he is ask by the trustees to donate so many hundreds of dollars to the school.A whole lot of business owners donate money to the schools every day. There is a lot more that is donated that is never talked about.I feel that that money needs to be accounted for also.

tax payer
9:09 AM, 11/5/2009

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