Officials Declare Victory On Income Tax; District Concedes Issue 2
Unofficial results show that voters approve an income tax hike, while a much-debated operating levy for South-Western City Schools is rejected.
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Unofficial results show that voters approve an income tax hike, while a much-debated operating levy for South-Western City Schools is rejected.
RESULTS: Complete Election Results
YOUR THOUGHTS: Columbus Income Tax Increase
YOUR THOUGHTS: South-Western City Schools Operating Levy
The City of Columbus said it is facing a budget gap of $115 million. Unofficial results from the Franklin County Board of Elections indicated that voters approved the half-percent income tax, raising the rate from 2 percent to 2.5 percent. Fire officials told NBC 4 that Issue 1 passed.
According to the results, there were 45,970 votes (51 percent) in favor of the issue and 42,943 votes (48 percent) against.
Under the income tax increase, Columbus workers would pay $50 more for every $10,000 they make. The increase goes into effect Oct. 1.
If the increase had failed, city officials said several city services would have been eliminated and hundreds of firefighters and police officers would have been laid off.
After failing at the polls in May, South-Western City Schools attempted to pass its operating levy again.
The levy failed with 16,055 votes (51 percent) against the issue and 15,344 votes (49 percent) in favor—with 102 of 105 precincts reporting.
NBC 4‘s Candice Lee reported that shortly after 9 p.m., South-Western City School officials conceded Issue 2.
District officials said that if the levy failed, students would lose all sports, bussing, programs and jobs would be lost.
The proposed 8.3-mill operating levy would have lasted four years and homeowners would have paid an extra $254 in property taxes each year for every $100,000 of property value.
The levy would have raised $21 million for the area’s second-largest school district.
Opponents of the levy in Grove City said they couldn’t afford to pay more taxes. Some said they wanted parents to pick up a larger portion of the expenses for student activities.
But supporters said the community needed to get behind its kids.
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Reader Reactions
I have no problem with you voting no because you can’t afford to keep your house. I understand and respect that decision but you’re beyond insane with the homeschooling idea. That shows me that your just cheap and don’t care about children. Again I’m not saying you’re cheap because of the levy but the thought of homeschooling instead.
The school system made the choice to put their compensation before the needs of the children-no one else.
As far as home schooling goes,someone on this page stated earlier that teachers show them what to do-practice at home(this was their explaination for 4 hours of homework a night).That’s nothing that a computer instuctor could do and 4 hours of homework constitutes homeschooling.It’s safer anyways than the public school system and especially a whole lot cheaper than the over priced extortionists that we employ now.These school officials blame parents for their(the schools)failure to teach our kids.They are completely out of touch with private sector working America,as illustrated by their insatiable desire for money,school fees/classroom fees/workbook fees,scheduling conferences during parents working hours(our employers aren’t flexible with us),late starts/early dismissals(that inconvenience every working family)-the list goes on and on.Then they blame the parents when they have to work,but would blame them also for being unemployed.
I mean really our vote is all we have.SWCS does whatever it wishes with no regard whatsoever for the community or the children.
hallsangels1, I hate to break it to you,but your husband is one of a dying breed in our schools.I volunteered for over 20 years in SWCS and worked with some of the best.They were few and far between.I’ve seen every rule broken,including contract obligations by teachers and principals.They are no different a demographic than those of us that are not government employees.
I have seen teachers like your husband that are dedicated above and beyond their call of service.Honestly though he must put blinders on.Good teachers know who the bad ones are,but they owe a blind allegiance to the unions and each other.
You brought religion into the discussion earlier,so lets go there.What would Jesus/God think about a school system that deliberately manipulates numbers,goes after levies under false pretenses(it is only about teacher,principal and administrator raises) and ignores democratic voting that denies their employers(us taxpayers)our constitutional rights?
The internet = The one place where you can be anonymus and foolish. I really can’t believe some of the comments I’m reading. HOMESCHOOL THE KIDS!??! Are you kidding me?!?! I pretty much have no respect for anyone who thinks this is the solution. I’m also laughing at the no voters trying to play chicken with the school board because they’re bitter. At the end of the day it’s about the future and CHILDREN ARE THE FUTURE!!!! I wonder how many no voters actually have children that will be effected by the levy. Good luck trying to explain to them why you destroyed there future.
Since the insults have moved from the Issue 2 article I’m going to repost my comment on this article:
You know what I think??? I think that you “ADULTS” are setting a GREAT example for the kids that everyone is caring so much about!!!
Quit taking shots at people on here and go vote, and deal with the outcome but know that you tried for what ever side you are on!!! I’m against it but I can’t vote for it because I’m no longer in SWCS. You aren’t going to change either sides’ minds, so do what we are able to do and that’s vote!!! There are facts on both sides to go by. So do what ya’ll believe, but on here what you people are doing is ridiculous!!! Insulting teachers, elderly and all of that garbage. It’s insane!! My son graduated from Central Crossing and my youngest 2 now go to Hamilton Local and I’m glad for that, but state an opinion, not insults. SET AN EXAMPLE FOR YOUR KIDS BY VOTING NOT CUTTING EACH OTHER DOWN!!
Mincemeat
How can you say it’s unrelated anyway?
Learn to read between the lies.
Hey mincemeat
What party would that be? Im about as American as it gets .I serve no party and no God . I dont share your handout mentality so im an instant republican? It is a fact half your district is on the tit of Obama.
I would guess that I may be just a bit more educated than you.I didnt assume that you were educated beneath your freshman year.
Sheep aren’t led to slaughter .They knowingly go!!!!
Change = Idiocy
unrepentent: wow we can see what class of people you hang around. UMMM, I didn’t get my house paid for, and I PAY for my masters degree schooling, and I don’t smoke dope, so don’t characterize all teachers by your loser friends.
Unrepentent-
Your comment is totally tasteless and has nothing to do with these two issues being addressed on nbc4i. It’s uneducated individuals such as yourself that make this country and your party look bad. Don’t worry about commenting either. Your comments will just prove your stupidity.
All the money being thrown at education hasn’t helped has it.
people are dumber than ever .
Half your school district doesn’t even work they are on the Dole.
Half of your district drops out as soon as they are old enough to do so.
You have a screwed up demographic in the district the haves and the chose to have nots.
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