CENTRAL OHIO -- A failed levy has divided the South-Western City School District.
The SWCS school board decided Thursday night to ask voters a fourth time for a levy, but with some changes.
The levy on the November ballot is a continuous 7.4-mills. The levy that failed on Aug. 4 was a temporary 4-year 8.3-mills.
But the district isn't the only one struggling and asking homeowners for more money.
Worthington City Schools administrators are foregoing their 2.85 percent salary increases for 2010. The school board will decide Monday which version of a levy to send to voters.
Big Walnut Local Schools is also putting a levy on the November ballot.
Westerville City Schools is another district that says reductions made so far just aren't enough.
Westerville Superintendent Dan Good spent Friday morning touring the district's schools to make sure they're ready when classes begin Aug. 26.
Alcott Elementary School is ready, but the district wants to make sure it can offer the same quality education that it always has.
"We want to maintain what we have. We're not asking to add anything new and we're definitely continuing to look at every possible way to conserve our expenses," Good said.
The district has already reduced its budget by $10.9 million.
A capital improvements levy passed in May, but the district needs an operating levy in November to place two levies from the 1970s that haven't kept up with inflation.
"So expenses are going up, but that revenue stayed flat, so you have to close that gap periodically," Good said.
The replacement levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $244 more per year. For a $150,000 home, it's an additional $1 per day.
"I want them to know that we're experiencing exactly what they're experiencing in this economy and we've really tightened our belt," Good said.
If the levy doesn't pass in November, the district will have to cut an additional $14 million from its budget and that could affect students.
Worthington City Schools is considering two versions of a levy.
The first version is for 3.9 mills with an increase of 1.5 mills over the next two years.
The second version is for 3.9 mills with a 1-mill increase over the next two years.
Big Walnut Local School District is asking for a 6.7-mill continuing levy to cover day-to-day operations, 80 percent of which covers personnel.
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