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| 08-13-03: Marion Local voters will decide levy fate |
By MARGIE WUEBKER
mwuebker@dailystandard.com
MARIA STEIN - Marion Local Schools board of education took the final
step Tuesday night to place a 12.22-mill emergency operating levy renewal and increase on
the November ballot.
Members unanimously approved a resolution to proceed, joining a number
of other area districts going to voters with outstretched hands in the wake of recent
state budget cuts.
If approved, the millage would generate $755,662 per year for a period
of five years, providing a buffer for the district's financial forecast.
The current 11.83-mill levy, approved by voters in 1998, generates
$555,662 per year and expires at the end of the year. Voters previously approved emergency
levies in 1993 and 1995 totaling 17.75 mills. In 1998, the board essentially combined the
levies into one and reduced millage due to a large cash carryover at the time. However,
the action came with a warning that increased millage might be needed at some point in the
future.
With property valuations being completed in November, Treasurer Paul
Gagel explained the full 12.22 mills, even if approved at the polls, likely would not be
collected. He foresees a reduction of 0.25 mills due to increased property valuation.
"With higher property valuations in place, we could reduce the
millage and still collect the same amount of money," he told The Daily Standard.
The projected revenue for the levy is based on current property
valuations, according to Gagel.
Following a lengthy discussion, the Marion Local Band received approval
for a New York City trip that includes performances and shows in late April or early May.
Band Director James Stephens and band boosters President Gary Fortkamp returned for the
discussion initiated last month.
The band has traveled south to Florida every four years since the
mid-1980s. Board members expressed concern that throwing another trip into the mix would
drain band booster coffers. The organization pays half the cost of the trip with parents
covering the remainder.
"I don't think we need to create more fund-raisers and have kids
knocking on more doors," board member Tess Mescher said. She wondered aloud how the
organization could finance two large trips in short span of four years. Fellow board
members nodded in agreement.
"I don't think we need to have the Florida trip written in
stone," board member Ron Winner added.
While approving the New York request, the board reserved the right to
evaluate future trips on educational merits, pointing out there would be no rubber stamp
approvals.
Board members declined to co-sign a $125,000 loan with the Marion Local
Athletic Boosters for a proposed building to house restrooms, a concession stand and a
storage area between the baseball/softball fields and the track. The volunteer
organization plans to fund the entire cost of the facility, but the bank requires another
signature on the dotted line.
As co-signer, the board would be responsible for the loan in the
event the boosters defaulted. Board members feared proceeding would set a precedent for
other organizations.
In other business, the board:
- Set a $30 fee for students wishing to take Sign Language I. It
currently costs the district $160 per student for the classes, which can be used for
foreign language credit. Fees are expected to skyrocket next year when an Ohio Department
of Education grant expires.
- Approved a contract with Chapel Hill Preschool to occupy one room
during the coming school year at a cost of $3,000.
- Endorsed a contract with St. John the Baptist Catholic Church to use
25 classrooms for Wednesday night religious education classes beginning Sept. 9 and
concluding May 5 at a cost of $3,729.
- Hired Chad Wells, a Ball State University graduate and former
Division I player, as varsity baseball coach, and Greg Bruns as assistant baseball coach.
- Accepted the resignation of Mark Ronnebaum as freshman boys
basketball coach.
- Congratulated Superintendent Andy Smith on receiving his educational
doctorate last week from Bowling Green State University. |
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