Different scenarios being discussed call for Little Miami returning to the ballot in May with another property tax proposal that would result in a positive cash balance by 2015. The tax could be levied by as much as 13.95- to 15-mills annually for five years, according to Little Miami schools Treasurer Shaun Bevan.
Earlier this month, voters rejected the district’s seventh tax request in two years. To pay bills, the district is borrowing against future state funding payments and could reach its capacity with the state in a few years.
That means the district must explore all possibilities, School Board President Kym Dunbar said.
Dunbar called for a “summit” meeting with neighboring school leaders to have a roundtable discussion about what could happen to Little Miami schools, as a proactive way to avoid the state arbitrarily redrawing district boundaries if the district cannot resolve its debt.
“I cannot get behind any additional cuts for these kids,” Dunbar said. “We have to make sure we have kids that can compete with neighboring districts ... It really doesn’t matter who’s on the letterhead.”
School board member Bobbie Grice said she would not support a move to dissolve the district.
“What do we have if we don’t have our schools?” Grice said. “This school brings us together.”
David Stacy, a parent of two students who relocated to Hamilton Twp. from Michigan nine years ago, was one of several parents who attended Tuesday’s school board meeting. Stacy said he wanted to find out if district leaders are considering splitting up the district.
“I’m interested in whatever will provide the best education for my kids,” Stacy said. “I’m not so much interested in whether Little Miami stays a district or not.”
Results from the Nov. 2 election show pro-levy voters may be OK with dissolving the district, school officials said.
Little Miami schools Superintendent Dan Bennett said he knows of some in the district who changed their vote from “yes” to “no” because they are “tired of the fight” and want to speed up the process of possible dissolution to get their children educated.
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4542 or rwilson@coxohio.com.
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