East Holmes superintendent explains need for levy
Passage of a 3.82 mil levy will offset revenue lost by the East Holmes School District to budget cuts and changes in the Ohio tax structure.
Superintendant Joe Wengerd calls it the “government assault” - the elimination of the tangible personal property tax and Gov. John Kasich’s austere biennial budget, coupled with the end of federal stimulus dollars. Taken together, the district stands to lose $800,000 to $900,000 in revenue.
“I know it sounds trite, but the truth is we’re in this job because we want students to grow every year,” Wengerd said. “That’s a huge responsibility for schools and parents. Under the government assault, I don’t see how the schools can operate.”
The district is placing the 3.82 mil levy before voters in the May 3 election. It will generate $1.5 million for the district annually for five years, and would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $120.34 per year.
The district has been able to hold up over the past few years, Wengerd said, largely by eliminating 15 full time positions through attrition. But as revenues dwindle, the district’s safety net - the annual budget carry over - has been tapped again and again to cover deficits. Wengerd said the carry over will be further reduced to cover about $250,000 to $300,000 in debts this year; and once the carry over is gone, deficit spending becomes a real danger.
In its levy campaign, the district is reaching out to educate voters and businesses to explain the reasons behind the need for new money. Among those reasons is a loss of $245,000 in state basic funding and $320,000 as stimulus money dries up.
And Wengerd can prove the district’s track record as good stewards of the money available to them. It has come up with $2.5 million in savings by doing away with full-time positions or combining services. Teachers this year further agreed to a two year pay freeze.
Before launching a levy campaign last year, the last time the district placed a levy before voters was 17 years ago, in 1994.
The levy attempt, for 5.33 mil in the November election, failed with 60 percent of voters against it.
The district has managed cuts while still providing a good education, maintaining their excellent rating with the state board of education.
“We know that we can put on a really great education at a fairly low cost here. That’s all because of our conscientious faculty, staff and school board,” Wengerd said. “We’ve been very careful. Once you start deficit spending, you really have to work to keep it from getting out of control. We are on the edge right now.”
Anyone wishing to discuss the levy and/or school finances are encouraged to contact Wengerd or Treasurer Marsha Clark at 330-893-2610. They may also be reached via email, Marsha at ahlm_clark@tccsa.net or Joe at ehlm_wengerd@tccsa.net.
Superintendant Joe Wengerd calls it the “government assault” - the elimination of the tangible personal property tax and Gov. John Kasich’s austere biennial budget, coupled with the end of federal stimulus dollars. Taken together, the district stands to lose $800,000 to $900,000 in revenue.
“I know it sounds trite, but the truth is we’re in this job because we want students to grow every year,” Wengerd said. “That’s a huge responsibility for schools and parents. Under the government assault, I don’t see how the schools can operate.”
The district is placing the 3.82 mil levy before voters in the May 3 election. It will generate $1.5 million for the district annually for five years, and would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $120.34 per year.
The district has been able to hold up over the past few years, Wengerd said, largely by eliminating 15 full time positions through attrition. But as revenues dwindle, the district’s safety net - the annual budget carry over - has been tapped again and again to cover deficits. Wengerd said the carry over will be further reduced to cover about $250,000 to $300,000 in debts this year; and once the carry over is gone, deficit spending becomes a real danger.
In its levy campaign, the district is reaching out to educate voters and businesses to explain the reasons behind the need for new money. Among those reasons is a loss of $245,000 in state basic funding and $320,000 as stimulus money dries up.
And Wengerd can prove the district’s track record as good stewards of the money available to them. It has come up with $2.5 million in savings by doing away with full-time positions or combining services. Teachers this year further agreed to a two year pay freeze.
Before launching a levy campaign last year, the last time the district placed a levy before voters was 17 years ago, in 1994.
The levy attempt, for 5.33 mil in the November election, failed with 60 percent of voters against it.
The district has managed cuts while still providing a good education, maintaining their excellent rating with the state board of education.
“We know that we can put on a really great education at a fairly low cost here. That’s all because of our conscientious faculty, staff and school board,” Wengerd said. “We’ve been very careful. Once you start deficit spending, you really have to work to keep it from getting out of control. We are on the edge right now.”
Anyone wishing to discuss the levy and/or school finances are encouraged to contact Wengerd or Treasurer Marsha Clark at 330-893-2610. They may also be reached via email, Marsha at ahlm_clark@tccsa.net or Joe at ehlm_wengerd@tccsa.net.
Published: April 12, 2011
