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Lakota considers levy options as ‘perfect financial storm’ looms

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By Dave Greber, Staff Writer Updated 3:53 PM Monday, February 1, 2010

WEST CHESTER TWP. — In the coming weeks, the Lakota Board of Education will choose from among three possibilities for a levy that will appear before voters in May.

Those scenarios were presented to the board Saturday, Jan. 30, during an annual work retreat at Miami’s Voice of America Learning Center.

Being considered is an incremental levy, which would require one vote for two different millage rates that would be effective in 2010 and 2012, and two traditional four-year levies.

The incremental levy proposes 6.9 mills, generating $19.32 million per year for the 2010 and 2011 fiscal years, and 4.9 mills, generating $13.72 million in 2012 and after. If voters approve the measure, the millage would change automatically in 2012.

Traditional levies — like the last measure voters approved in 2005 — include one for 7.9 mills that would generate $22.12 million per year, and another for 9.4 mills that would generate $26.32 million per year.

The board must make its decision by Feb. 18 for the measure to appear on the May 4 ballot. A discussion is planned for the board’s next regular meeting Feb. 8, during which members may approve a resolution of necessity to cue the Butler County Auditor’s Office to calculate more specifically how much the district could gain from each levy scenario.

After that, a special meeting would likely be necessary approve a resolution to proceed and file paperwork with the county Board of Elections.

Superintendent Mike Taylor said Saturday the district is facing a “perfect financial storm:” Flat funding since 2005 despite an increase of more than 1,500 students, a 3 percent reduction — or about $1.3 million — in state funding over the next two years and unfunded state mandates, such as all-day kindergarten. Lakota’s five-year financial forecast includes an expected deficit of $28 million by the start of the 2011-12 school year without new funding and deep cuts.

Board members said Saturday they will take a two-pronged approach to the future. In addition to the request for a levy, they will also approve new expenditure limitations recommended by the administration in the coming weeks. Treasurer Craig Jones said all aspects of business operations will be considered.

Some steps have already been taken, including more than $4.2 million in cuts announced at the beginning of the year, and another $6 million in cuts planned for next year.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2112 or dgreber@coxohio.com.

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As a frequent critic of the current board, I do agree with the decision not to pursue the "Race to the top" program. Here is an interesting link;

http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/indoct...

Bob
10:29 AM, 2/5/2010

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I know teachers have been taking a beating on this forum. In some cases rightfully so. However, it seems when I am out in public and see kids acting like they should, it seems to my surprise they have a parent that is teacher.

Just maybe it is NOT the teachers that are failing the kids, BUT the Republicans and Democrats that keep expanding government control over schools and creating more and more problems.

Libertarian Voter
9:38 PM, 2/3/2010

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Its official, gov’t unionism has surpassed the private sector.

Why's that relevant here? As private ranks declined to 7.2%, gov’t ranks quietly exploded to 37.4%! Unlike private union jobs, gov’t ones rarely, if ever go away, providing above inflation pay and benefits for life. Unions like the LEA know their growing political clout and they’ve used it to end run voters. Legislative protections for arbitration and STRS pension contributions prove it.

It’s time we showed ours. Vote NO!

http://tinyurl.com/yl6gceb
6:05 PM, 2/3/2010

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Money is not the big issue; the so-called teachers are the issue. Per definition, teachers are a person who teaches and instructs. Teachers today just instruct students to do homework so they do not have to deal with actually TEACHING students. I have heard over and over again how students graduating today do not even know how to do simple math (addition and subtraction) For teachers out there today I challenge you to teach and not just pass out homework or is that not part of your job today.

jfc
8:32 AM, 2/2/2010

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I teach at a local community college. I had a student last week who graduated 2 years ago not know what the 3 branches of government were or what they each did. she thought the 3 were: supreme court, president and congress.

good job teachers. THIS is what you're producing. no wonder they're so afraid of letting market forces determine their pay. Most of them would be making minimum wage.

over rated teachers
8:29 AM, 2/2/2010

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