REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio -- A local school district will go back to its voters with a lowered millage levy in November.
NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.
Reynoldsburg City Schools board members met Tuesday night and decided to place a 9.9-mill operating levy on the general election ballot.
The proposed levy would cost the owner of $100,000 home an additional $300 per year.
Voters rejected a 15.6-mill levy in May, forcing the school district to cut $11 million from its budget.
The board agreed on a 9.9-mill levy over a proposed 8.9-mill levy.
The deadline to put a levy on the November ballot is Thursday.
Already, school busing has been cut, high-school start times have been staggered and students are being charged to participate in after-school programs.
Reynoldsburg Junior High School students will see their school day shortened 20 minutes and their elective classes reduced from two to one, as the district shifts to six periods with more time spent on core subjects: English, math, science and social studies.
The district would have had to hire six additional teachers at a cost of $350,000 to keep the school day the same as last year.
"We value the music, and the arts, health, and physical education. Those are all valued, but when you're in a situation like Reynoldsburg City Schools is in you just can't have all that you had," said Dan Hoffman, assistant school district superintendent. "Students are still going to experience an arts class for nine weeks, rather than a semester. They're still going to experience physical education, now for nine weeks, rather than a semester. So they're still getting the electives. They're getting less of them in terms of time."
The levy discussion takes place in a community that's still divided on the issue.
Reynoldsburg resident Bob Kennedy opposes another levy request.
“Property taxes just keep going higher. Where am I getting this money when I get a check once a month?" asked Kennedy. “I am being asked to bite the bullet. You know something? Somebody else is going to have to bite the bullet for a while, too.”
The uphill battle to convince residents to support the levy has not deterred parents such as Ramiro Estrada.
“It's for our children. They're our future, and they need it,” Estrada said.
Another change announced late in the summer affects students' wardrobes.
The school dress code, which had restricted colors to purple, gold and white, has been loosened a bit this year.
Students can wear any solid colors except blue, black and red. Those colors have been associated with gang activity.
For additional information, stay with nbc4i.com and NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail us at stories@nbc4i.com.
NBC 4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video
MORE: NBC 4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC 4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement