Failed Levy

Tuesday, May 4th, my district had two levies on the ballot. One was an earned income tax and the other was a 6.75 millage. This was the sixth time our district went to the voters to get funding for the schools. Without it, our school district faces state takeover. Neither levy passed. The state will take over in July. There will be another levy on the ballot in August and every election thereafter until one passes.

Unfortunately, I have a very divided school district. There are three very different areas that were grouped to make one district. Butlerville is a very rural area. Most students do not have access to the internet and many don't have a computer. Most of the families make their living from their farm. Morrow is working class. Many of the adults do not possess a higher educational degree. Finally, there is Maineville. Most of the growth that had happened in the past ten years has taken place here. Most of the adults are college educated. By my description of these three areas, you can probably guess how voting went.

It is a shame that school districts are forced to beg for money to run a school. Frankly, I am not sure what the state is going to do when they take over. There have been people from the state that have spoken with our district. They are stumped as to how this could happen to our district. We have been working at the minimum allowed by the state. Our district has been rated an "Excellent" district. Our treasurer has earned awards for running the district so frugally. I am just not sure why this has happened. I would blame the economy but I know that isn't the sole reason. Our district has a history of failing levies. There has been talk of dissolving the district and having a neighboring district take responsibility for educating the children. In a way, I hope this happens. Every neighboring district has higher taxes--by almost double.