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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2010 > April > 27 > Entry
Editorial: Miamisburg should back school levy
2010 Election
Miamisburg schools asked for two levies in an unusual special election in February.
Voters passed a so-called “replacement” levy that was set to expire, but they defeated by 335 votes the proposal that would have increased their taxes.
In next week’s election, the district is trying again. Its request would cost owners of a $100,000 home about $225 more per year. If it is defeated, major cuts will be imposed.
For instance:
— 20 to 22 teachers at the elementary schools will be let go.
— as many as 20 teachers at the high school will lose their jobs.
— all extracurriculars, including sports, will be eliminated, as well as art, music and physical education.
— busing will be cut for high school students and only elementary and middle school students who live more than two miles from school will get transportation.
The reason to vote “yes” is that Miamisburg is looking at about $5 million in cuts, or more than 10 percent of its $45 million budget. Even if the levy passes, the district still will have to cut as much as $2 million.
During the past three years, the district has shaved almost $5 million in spending by imposing a hiring freeze and taking other measures. The staff also went without a raise this school year.
Like some other suburban districts, Miamisburg schools are being challenged by some residents who are taking their doubts about the district’s spending to the Web. The Web site openmiamisburg.com has information that voters may want to read, even if they don’t agree with the spin on it.
Especially in such difficult economic times, it’s naive to think that there isn’t going to be debate about raising taxes. When critics put their complaints in writing for everyone to see, at least backers of the levy and the administration know what misinformation they have to correct or, if complaints are legitimate, what they need to fix.
Miamisburg clearly is doing much right. It is rated “excellent” by the state, even as almost a third of its students are considered poor. (Most poor students come to school behind, and they often need extra attention.)
Class sizes, always a concern of parents, will have to go up if the teacher payroll is slashed. The state sets limits on how many children can be in each classroom, but most school districts try to stay below those numbers because they’re far from ideal.
If the levy fails, some sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade classes, for example, will have more than 30 students, with the average in the mid-30s.
The school district is targeting parents to get to the polls, believing they are the most invested in keeping the schools’ quality high. That’s a smart political decision; there’s nothing deceptive or unusual about it. But the strategy frustrates critics who don’t have such a direct connection.
This pitting of people against one another is one downside of relying so much on the property tax to fund schools. In Miamisburg, only 30 percent of the schools’ operating money comes from the state.
Miamisburg has good reasons to be proud of its schools. Keeping them at a high level isn’t cheap.
Permalink | Comments (43) | Post your comment | Categories: 2010 endorsements, Editorials, Education, Ellen Belcher
Comments
By larry
April 27, 2010 7:48 PM | Link to this
jeff, are you smarter than a 5th grader?if it was thoughtful and well written it would have given both sides of the issue. in this country we have freedom of speech and freedom of choice.
By Kudos
April 27, 2010 8:41 PM | Link to this
Kudos DDN for seeing the success of our incredible school district and endorsing us! Our children need our support now more than ever and our community will thrive when this passes! Join our family in casting your YES votes!
By Jeff
April 27, 2010 9:07 PM | Link to this
And of course DDN pulls my posting again for no reason, so I’ll post again. It was a well-thought article with actual FACTS to back up a legitimate case. I am interested in how RH and her followers will try to attack it. Of course, since EB’s website got talked about, maybe he won’t feel the need to advertise it every other thread. And yes, I’d like to think I am smarter than a 5th grader, and I want to make sure the students in our community end up that way as well. And Larry, I actually know how to use proper capitalization and punctuation. IT WAS AN ENDORSEMENT ON THE EDITORIAL PAGE, NOT A NEWS REPORT. Endorsements are not obliged to report “both sides.” I guess that’s what I learned when I got past the fifth grade.
By Tax Payer ATM
April 27, 2010 9:33 PM | Link to this
I am all for funding education. I have two kids that graduated from Miamisburg. My concern is how they are spending my tax dollars! I have gone without a raise for the last 3 years and am thankful to have kept my job during these tough times. Now Miamisburg teachers are going without a pay increase this year, a single year? I am fortunate that my home has increased in value, which in turn is costing me $100 more a month. The city has also placed a tax increase proposal on the ballot. School levies and increasing income taxes leave a lot less in my pocket on payday and a bitter taste in my mouth. We, the tax payers, are not the ATM to the schools and municipalities. Corporations are cutting corners, what are the schools doing to meet their budgets? Scare tactics are only going to alienate the tax payers. How many students would truly be effected by decreasing busing and instituting pay to play for extra curricular activities? As a side note, according to the school board website, the last award won by a Miamisburg City school was in 2003 at the elementary level. Maybe it is time re-evaluate the management of the Miamisburg City Schools and replace Dr. Jackson with someone, anyone!!!
By Tax Payer ATM
April 27, 2010 9:40 PM | Link to this
Check out the eye opening statistics regarding Miamisburg City School and our fearless leader, Dr. Dallas Jaskson at msbgwatch.com.
By Mike
April 27, 2010 9:41 PM | Link to this
“Even if the levy passes, the district still will have to cut as much as $2 million.” 25 teachers have been laid off even if the levy passes. That to me is an example of schools trying to meet their budget. If the levy fails, 35 more teachers will lose their jobs. That will affect every student in the district! We need to support our schools now! In addition, the schools have been named “Excellent” six out of the last seven years, and Wantz Middle School was an “Ohio School to Watch” in 2007. Those seem to be pretty impressive awards to me.
By Get the Facts
April 27, 2010 9:51 PM | Link to this
ATM you’re reading inaccurate information if you’re going to that site. The schools are fiscally responsible. The FACT is they are educating more kids with a lot less money due to cuts from the State. Please find out factual information at: www.MiamisburgPride.org or call the district. They have been more than happy to share state audited information, budgets, real enrollment numbers and more. Do yourself and your community a favor and get the facts before voting. Our children and our community need us!
By voteyes
April 28, 2010 6:55 AM | Link to this
Larry…then it wouldn’t be an ENDORSEMENT. Why do you think the school does not and has not made cuts? One of my daughters is in 7th grade. She had science homework and needed to get her book to the neighbor when she was done. I asked her why and she said they don’t have enough books so they share! Doesn’t sound like slurging. There have been cuts including some great teachers, insurance prem. have been renegotiated to be lowered and there will be no pay raises in the next two years regardless of what the banner RH says! People pay $1,000/yr+ on cable, cell phone bills, internet connection. Why aren’t our schools worth a couple hundred? As long as fed and state officials run things as they do local municipalities and schools will need assistance in staying afloat and I AM willing to pay for that as well as parks and libraries because these make a community better for ALL!
By voteyes
April 28, 2010 7:10 AM | Link to this
Taxpayer ATM, why don’t you think many children will be affected? I know track alone has over 200 students, middle school jazz has around 60, not to mention all of the other sports, honors and colorguard and the list goes on. How about seniors that want to apply for scholarships but can’t if it doesn’t pass since they won’t have what they need? Please look at facts and see the cuts they’ve made and see what will happen to our community if it doesn’t pass. Miamisburgpride.org
By Jay
April 28, 2010 7:35 AM | Link to this
Class Sizes: Nationwide teacher-pupil ratios have been declining steadily since 1992, but achievement results have not risen; the U.S. standing academically with the industrialized nations has been declining. The California experiment in class size reductions that cost billions of dollars proved that this practice does not improve student outcomes or achievement; in fact, it made the situation worse in urban districts.
By larry
April 28, 2010 7:56 AM | Link to this
jeff,1st, i’m not writing a term paper. the ddn has a habit of “endorsing” issues without giving both sides of those issues.i also didn’t say it was a “report”.msbgwatch has to by law report facts on that web sight the same as msbg schools have to print facts.the only time a student has to share a book,is if the other student lost theirs.the schools make sure each student gets a book in each subject.the school has made cuts. then, create positions with pay higher than what the cuts were worth. springboro has turned down levies and seem to be doing just fine.as far as no raises,both unions if the levy passes have re-openers in their contracts to negotiate pay raises.lastly, it’s a sure bet,that whoever/whomever the ddn endorses vote the opposite.
By voteyes
April 28, 2010 7:56 AM | Link to this
Class sizes are not what some want you to think. I was on a blog with someone who said that elementary class sizes are 10-15! That is so NOT true. My daughter’s k-2nd grade classes had mid 20s. Now 5th and 7th grade they have 25-27. And they’ve been in a trailer 2 of their last 3 years. I hope we don’t follow ALL of the experiments that Calif. does but we’re not asking for small classes…just normal sized…and MAYBE a text book for each child!
By Mike
April 28, 2010 8:01 AM | Link to this
I support funding schools because it helps improve the community and property values. However, I don’t believe the schools are doing enough on their end. Having a pay freeze is good, having a pay reduction is better. My company reduced pay in order to save jobs and we were more than willing given the economy. It is their duty to think outside the box and push the limits. But that might be too much to ask since unions are involved.
By voteyes
April 28, 2010 8:03 AM | Link to this
How do you know so much about the school systems here and in Springboro?? My daughter DID not lose her book. She said there were only 100 books. I know teachers in Springboro and they aren’t doing just fine. Everyday they never know if their job will be cut and it makes for a tense teaching environment. It would be nice to have a job that didn’t require a public vote as to whether you keep it or not. If they can only post facts than how can one banner state an outright false statement???
By trey
April 28, 2010 8:21 AM | Link to this
Interesting that the schools taught the very people from whom they now try to extort money for 12+ years yet couldn’t teach them that their schools are worth an investment. What better proof that the schools do little but help produce mainly entertainment/sports-driven, self-absorbed egos whose sole purpose is to make more money and pursue more/bigger personal “things?” Too bad the schools couldn’t first produce good citizens.
By J
April 28, 2010 8:35 AM | Link to this
Larry, it’s called an ‘editorial’, which makes it an opinion and has no responsibility to state both cases, but prove the validity of the opinion.It looks like an endorsement because it is one. It does NOT violate journalistic integrity because it is not published as a work of journalism, but an editorial opinion.
By msbg mom
April 28, 2010 9:03 AM | Link to this
well, no birds lets show them how we are flocking here to vote NO its not that we are against the children but how the admin. is spending our money and not telling us how the money is going to be used!
By msbg mom
April 28, 2010 9:04 AM | Link to this
well, no birds lets show them how we are flocking here to vote NO its not that we are against the children but how the admin. is spending our money and not telling us how the money is going to be used!
By msbg mom
April 28, 2010 9:12 AM | Link to this
Dear vote yes, How can you say that the banner has a false statement on it?The admin.has not prove or told the citizens what that money was going to be used for except for operations meaning pay raises.
By True Viking
April 28, 2010 9:55 AM | Link to this
Congratulations to the DDN for endorsing the Miamisburg Levy and supporting our great community. We are very lucky to have caring staff and coaches that go above and beyond for our kids and community. We need to show our support of them! By investing in our students we ensure a prosperous community. I am a proud graduate of Miamsiburg, own a business in the town and want to give my 3 children the same opportunities for education and extra curriculars that I had. Look at the big picture and VOTE YES!!!!
By resident
April 28, 2010 11:22 AM | Link to this
i wasnt sure about voting for or against,so i picked up viking voice and the more i read the more i see who is putting out the mis- leading info thanks for helping me to decide.my vote is no to much misleading info and not the truth.
By Working Hard
April 28, 2010 11:40 AM | Link to this
Hey resident, are you going to site any mis-leading information the district is promoting? Give us FACTS!
By resident
April 28, 2010 11:50 AM | Link to this
working hard dr.jackson said in viking voice that they can operate the new building nearly the same cost as the existing building if thats the case why additional levy?
By Get the Facts
April 28, 2010 11:58 AM | Link to this
Resident….look at the numbers. We have more children and less money. We have, and will continue to, receive less money from the State of Ohio. If you look at the budget you’ll clearly see the deficit. Call the district directly (866-3381) if you have unanswered questions before making your decision. We owe this much to our children AND our community. There is a reason we live here rather than other communities with failing schools. It just makes sense – VOTE YES!
By Good Sense
April 28, 2010 12:05 PM | Link to this
Supporting this levy just makes sense on so many levels. Just another example from the National Board of Realtors: Of all the local neighborhood amenities that can influence a buyer’s decision to purchase a home, proximity to good quality schools is one of the most influential. According to the “2008 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers”, 27% of home buyers listed school quality and 21% listed proximity to schools as deciding factors in their home purchase. For more PROOF go to: http://www.realtor.org/library/library/fg307
By Rob
April 28, 2010 1:25 PM | Link to this
I’ll bite… for further info from a far more reliable source, http://Miamisburgpride.org yes, that is the official “Pro Levy” site for lack of a better term. BTW, has anyone seen the house with the “Vote No Shools” sign? Classic No Bird action there…brings a tear to my eye thinking that this person is looking out for the “Shools” and our kids. Oh well, takes all kinds to make a Burg… My Bride and I will vote YES come Tuesday…my daughter has already voted YES absentee.
By voteyes
April 28, 2010 3:50 PM | Link to this
TREY…I am the product of public schools and I volunteer on MANY levels in the miamisburg community. I quit a higher paying job to be home with my kids and I give back to my community as often as I can, so who is self absorbed???
By voteyes
April 28, 2010 4:00 PM | Link to this
They can operate the new buildings at the same cost because there will be less repairs and maintenance and they will move the same teachers to the new buildings to teach there and FINALLY GET MY KIDS OUT OF TRAILERS AND INTO A CLASSROOM.
By Proud of Miamisburg
April 28, 2010 4:31 PM | Link to this
This video spot just says what it’s all about. Take a look, educate yourself on the facts and then vote your conscience. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqXWqYPDLDA
By Burg Resident
April 28, 2010 6:26 PM | Link to this
It’s interesting how levy supporters are so sure that the pro levy website is the only source for ‘audited’ or ‘factual’ information. It’s clear there is no monopoly on accurate information. The site mentioned in the article provides documents straight from the district and state. How someone can claim that those documents are somehow not reliable, audited, or factual is difficult to comprehend.
By Get the Facts
April 28, 2010 7:41 PM | Link to this
Make no bones about it. The “open” site has its own agenda. It’s run and written by a man who was not elected to the school board and makes it his mission to find some non-existent conspiracy. Let’s call a spade a spade. If you want to see the need then look at the budget. It’s an open book of non-fiction titled “Schools Educate More Kids with Less Money – Need Our Help”. Let’s rally around our children AND protect our property value.
By Get the Facts
April 28, 2010 7:42 PM | Link to this
Make no bones about it. The “open” site has its own agenda. It’s run and written by a man who was not elected to the school board and makes it his mission to find some non-existent conspiracy. Let’s call a spade a spade. If you want to see the need then look at the budget. It’s an open book of non-fiction titled “Schools Educate More Kids with Less Money – Need Our Help”. Let’s rally around our children AND protect our property value.
By voteyes
April 28, 2010 8:06 PM | Link to this
Msbg Mom, how do you equate “operating expenses” as PAY RAISES? Operating means just that…operating. I also verified that my child DOES HAVE TO share science books so maybe everyone should get FACTS and not guess what the truth is. They need the money because property values went down during the past year due to the economy and the state cut the public school’s budget again. I have friends in Cleveland, Akron and Cinci and they ALL are fighting this battle so how can it be Miamisburg City School’s fault? Many schools are suffering due to their lack of importance. One blog even called Public Schools socialism! Come on guys, where did you go to school? If it was public schools than step up. Others did for you. My children are trying to be productive citizens contrary to Trey’s opinion of the youth in Miamsiburg. They, like me vounteer in our community. The shallow opinion of our youth is really upsetting. I see many Msbg youth in our church youth group in girl scouts and doing all kinds of volunteering in our community. Don’t sell them short.
By Mark Williams
April 28, 2010 8:08 PM | Link to this
Thank you DDN for your support. It really is a question of value. Compared to most districts in the area Miamisburg spends less per student and still delivers an excellent education. Nothing good is free. In a globally competetive environment our students deserve to have an education that prepares them for the tasks that lie ahead. As a parent with 3 children in the district, from what I have seen in my frequent interactions with students they deserve every penny that I, and every other taxpayer in this community, provides.
By Making Sense
April 28, 2010 9:25 PM | Link to this
Applause, applause! Now we have some citizens making sense! A yes vote is good for the children, good for the community, good for your property value. Think about the big picture and VOTE FOR MIAMISBURG SCHOOLS!
By Proud of Burg
April 28, 2010 10:30 PM | Link to this
Well, here we go again - with all the bantering back and forth. It is a very simple concept - one that I feel everyone should consider. THE CHILDREN! It has been said on many occassions and will be said again by me - “Someone supported my education and it is our responsibility as a community to support the children today.” These are the children that will be running and hopefully making change in the future - so lets give up a cup of coffee a day and support THE CHILDREN! VOTE YES FOR MIAMISBURG SCHOOLS and the future of this Great Community we ALL call home!
By drink your coolaid!
April 29, 2010 6:40 PM | Link to this
working hard, you (and the others) sound like the same coolaid drinkers who voted for your savior obama!where are your facts? teachers,and support staff i;e maint,aids,cust,bus drivers ect have their salaries payed with the operating levy.where do you think the salaries come from? in america,we do have the right of choice and speech.if you think the administration is putting out facts you are sorely misguided.if the levy passes,watch the pay raises and they won’t have enough students to fill all these rooms and the money they’ll spend keeping them cool and heated.as the saying goes.”oh what a tangle web we weave,when first we practice to deceive”!
By Proud of Burg
April 29, 2010 6:51 PM | Link to this
By drink your coolaid! It is the current administration that is cutting funding to the schools that are aiding to the short fall of funding. Maybe if they wouldn’t be cutting the funding we wouldn’t be in this mess! Not my savior! VOTE YES FOR MSBG SCHOOLS AND THIS GREAT COMMUNITY THAT I CALL HOME!
By wow
April 29, 2010 8:58 PM | Link to this
vote no shools?? wtf hahah
By Open Miamisburg
April 29, 2010 9:47 PM | Link to this
Go to http://www.openmiamisburg.com for school district levy information such as 5 year financial forecasts, budget information, potential cuts, meeting videos, and much more. Do your own research and make an informed decision.
By Proud of Burg
April 30, 2010 6:51 AM | Link to this
I should recant and say the State is cutting the funding to the schools. Vote Yes!
By trey
April 30, 2010 7:21 AM | Link to this
My support for public schools evaporated when Kettering’s last superintendent said in a DDN Op-Ed that the student – not the community – was his “client.” When this prime example of our “education” system doesn’t know the difference between the client (the community) who pays them — and to whom they’re responsible — and their product (the student), it’s time to stop throwing money at them.
By Working Hard
April 30, 2010 4:18 PM | Link to this
Hey Coolaid, I think you are punch drunk! Have you seen the teachers’ contracts? I have and there is no raise in them. I am by no means an Obama supporter, but rather a supporter of my community. I will again ask you for facts! You obviously haven’t spent any time doing your due diligence or spent any time in or around the schools during school hours. By the way, Dr. Jackson also gave his phone number with an invitation to call if you had questions about the district’s finances. Did you call or just make your own assumptions?