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Dayton Public Schools hopes to avoid levy
Dayton Public Schools officials are trying to determine whether to put a property tax levy on the November ballot to avoid a projected $12 million deficit in 2014.
The school board’s new president, Ronald Lee, said Wednesday that “later this year is a possibility” for a levy.
But school officials stress they hope they can avoid that if they can cut $12 million from the district’s $162 million general fund expenditures.
“We are going to do everything in our power to stay off the ballot for as long as we can,” Treasurer Stan Lucas said. “We don’t really want to put a tax out there, but we also want to make sure we maintain the district and maintain the standards.”
Tough economic times and concern about the tendency for voters to reject requests for new money factor into the decision, he said. Locally, all eight school district requests for new money were defeated last May, while 10 of 16 school requests were rejected in November.
“You can’t depend on a levy to pull you out,” Lucas said.
Dayton Public voters approved a 4.9-mill operating levy in November 2008 that was supposed to generate $9.3 million annually, but the district hasn’t netted any gains from it. It actually collected less after the levy than before , due to home foreclosures and delinquent taxes, district officials said.
Lucas said flat tax collections, a decrease in property values and reduction in state aid have contributed to the projected deficit.
District officials just began budget discussions related to the fiscal year 2013 budget, which needs to be approved by June 30.
Lucas said district officials will explore potential budget cuts and such things as consolidating services to cut 7.5 percent in general fund expenditures.
“Can we come up with a framework that would put off a levy? That’s what we’re really trying to do,” Lucas said.
The district eliminated 296 positions last spring.
Lee — who became president at Tuesday’s school board meeting, while Joe Lacey was named vice president — said his plans are to focus on the budget, with the district’s strategic plan in mind to maintain positive momentum.
The district last year rose from “Academic Watch” to “Continuous Improvement” on its state report card.
“I’m hoping we can put the budget together and not cut any services and programs and continue with our good work,” he said.
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By null
January 5, 2012 3:52 PM | Link to this
hey ronald lee and stan lucas.it will get shot down.property taxes are to high.and do you pay my house payment and my taxes nope didn’t think so.