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SHOW ME THE DOLLARS AND SENSE
Streetsboro City Schools Issue 10
November 6, 2007
Q. How is the school tax issue on the different from the issue that was first voted on earlier this year?
A. It’s not a continuing levy. You’re being asked to approve a 5-year levy. That means you’ll have an opportunity to decide whether to renew the levy in 5-years.
Q. Why change the time frame?
A. Many voters were reluctant to approve a continuing levy. After all, Gov. Ted Strickland had recently presented his proposal to “fix” school funding in Ohio. A 5-year levy would give voters an opportunity to see if Strickland’s ideas work. If Streetsboro schools are not helped by the Governor’s plan, the levy can be renewed by voters after 5 years.
Q. Why is it urgent for Issue 10 to be on the ballot now?
A. An “emergency” levy Streetsboro voters approved for five years in 2002 expires this year. This levy provides about $1.5 million to pay for the day-to-day operating expenses of the schools. It amounts to 8% of the budget of the schools. The time had come for the school board to make a decision about the financial future of the schools. If Issue 10 fails, this means the schools lose this money as of January 1, 2008, less than two months from Election Day!
Q. What cuts were made because the levy was not approved previously?
A. The school board has cut school bus transportation students to the minimum standards required by Ohio law. Of course, this means that parents who live within two miles of their child’s assigned school have the responsibility of making sure their child gets to school safely. Additionally, several classroom aides, who work with teachers directly in the classroom, were laid off. Some other staff positions were not filled. Finally, the Board agreed to increase athletic participation fees and to impose building use charges on community groups that had been exempted in the past because they serve the children of Streetsboro.
Q. What cuts will be made if Issue 10 is not approved in November?
A. The situation will get worse. Most of the cuts the Board now is studying are directly related to the academic and educational programs of the schools. For example, elementary “special” programs including art, music and physical education are on the chopping block. Several educational support positions, such as a psychologist and speech pathologist, may also be eliminated. Finally, the all-day every-day kindergarten program is on the list of cuts the Board of Education will be forced to consider.
Q. What was the tax rate voters approved five years ago?
A. The tax rate approved in 2002 was 5.1 mills.
Q. What is the tax rate taxpayers are paying this year?
A. The tax rate being paid this year is 3.12 mills. That is 1.98 mills lower than voters agreed to pay five years ago. It is a 40% decrease in the tax rate compared with five years ago.
Q. Why did the tax rate go down?
A. The old “emergency” levy, by law, can only collect a specific dollar amount. As new homes and businesses are added to the community the dollars provided to the schools remain the same, however, payment of that dollar amount is shared by a greater number of taxpayers. So, over time your original share of the school tax ACTUALLY GOES DOWN. Therefore, the schools often receive new students without receiving new money.
Q. What is the tax rate on the ballot for Issue 10?
A. The tax rate on the ballot is 5.1 mills.
Q. Is this the same tax rate that was on the ballot five years ago?
A. Yes, the tax rate is exactly the same as what was on the ballot five years ago. The new money will go toward meeting specific capital improvement needs.
Q. The ballot language talks about money for “current expenses” and money for “permanent improvements.” Explain these terms.
A. The “current expenses” portion of the ballot language is
intended to keep the money the schools now have for day-to-day operating
expenses in place. The “permanent improvements” portion of the ballot
language is intended to provide
Q. What are some examples of uses of permanent improvement funds?
ü Repairing roofs ü Buying school buses ü Replacing classroom desks and chairs ü Buying musical instruments ü Repaving parking lots ü Buying computers and technology equipment ü Replacing sidewalks ü Buying snow plowing and maintenance vehicles
Q. How much additional money is raised per year for permanent improvements?
A. Approximately $600,000 per year.
Q. That seems like a lot of money. So, the permanent improvement needs will be met in a few years, right?
A. Just like at home, “big ticket” maintenance and equipment purchases are ongoing. It will take several years for the schools just to catch up with longstanding deferred maintenance and equipment purchases. Then, funds must continue to be available to meet these needs. Taxpayers save money in the long run. “The Gateway News” has reported that the District’s deferred maintenance and equipment needs exceed $2 million.
Q. What is the amount of money raised for current operating expenses under the old “emergency” levy?
A. The amount of money raised per year is approximately $1.5 million per year.
Q. Someone told me that the Board of Education can change they way this money is allocated every year by somehow changing the tax rates between current operating expenses and permanent improvements without a vote of the people. Is that true?
A. The tax rates, or the way money is allocated between current operating expenses and permanent improvement, can be changed only by a vote of the people. So, that statement is not true.
Q. Where does Streetsboro stand as far as employee pay?
A. In the bottom quarter of all northeastern Ohio school districts. Last school year, Streetsboro teacher salaries were 7th of 8 when comparing Streetsboro to the surrounding Districts. Of the 4 Portage County city school districts, Streetsboro stood in last place. Even when the rural Portage County school districts are included, Streetsboro salaries are at or below average. This creates problem in attracting and retaining high quality teachers and school personnel.
Q. What is the amount of money I currently pay based on the 3.12 mill tax rate for the expiring “emergency” levy?
A. The amount of money is based on the value of your home. The table below shows costs based on common home values in Streetsboro.
Home Market Value Current Cost Per Year Current Cost Per Month $100,000 $96 $8 $150,000 $144 $12 $200,000 $192 $16 $250,000 $240 $20
Q. What is the additional amount of money I will pay next year on my property taxes based on the approval of Issue 10?
A. The amount of money is based on the value of your home. The table below shows costs based on common home values in Streetsboro.
Home Market Value Added Cost Per Year Added Cost Per Month $100,000 $60 $5 $150,000 $90 $7.50 $200,000 $120 $10 $250,000 $150 $12.50
Q. I am a senior citizen who qualifies for the tax exemption the governor recently signed into law. How am I affected?
A. Your property tax break increases by $15 per year to $344 per year ($172 per half) from $329 per year ($164.50 per half). The table below is adjusted to show costs for senior citizens based on common home values in Streetsboro.
Fair Market Value Issue 10 Cost Minus Tax Break Net Tax Decrease $100,000 $45 $344 $284 $150,000 $75 $344 $269 $200,000 $105 $344 $239 $250,000 $135 $344 $209
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