Marion Local to seek 2.2 mills

MARIA STEIN - Marion Local Schools board of education will seek a 2.2-mill operating levy at the polls in November following unanimous action taken Monday night.

The action by the board clears the way for Treasurer Paul Gagel to file the necessary paperwork with the Mercer County Board of Elections.

The millage, as certified by Mercer County Auditor Mark Giesige, will generate $150,000 per year for a period of five years. The owner of a $100,000 home would pay an additional $67.37 per year in property taxes.

In March, voters passed an 11.6-mill operating levy that will generate $805,662 annually for five years, replacing a levy that expired in December and representing an annual increase of $50,000.

The other part of the funding package - a 0.25 percent income tax - was narrowly defeated. It would have raised approximately $150,000 annually.

Additional revenue is still needed to maintain current services with dollars going for general operation of the district, school officials have said. This includes books, educational supplies, fuel, utilities, salaries and benefits, buses and maintenance of buildings and grounds, according to officials.

The board passed a resolution of necessity at its July meeting. No millage was stated at the time pending Giesige's determination.

In other action, the board:

• Approved a contract with St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Maria Stein to use 25 classrooms at the elementary and high school buildings for CCD classes beginning Sept. 3 and running through May 6. The rental cost for 31 nights is $3,875, slightly less than last year when the contract listed 32 nights.

• Set two-hour delays on Sept. 10, Oct. 7 and April 16 for the purpose of teacher inservice programs.

• Approved family medical leave for Shannon Painter-Carpenter effective Aug. 19 through Sept. 3.

• Moved dates for upcoming board meetings to Sept. 15 and Nov. 6 with both sessions taking place at 7:30 p.m. at the boardroom in the elementary/junior high building.