Reynoldsburg Seeks Levy For Day-To-Day Operations

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio -- The Reynoldsburg City School District has 19 more days to get out the vote for its 9.9-mill operating levy.

The millage is smaller than the levy voters rejected in May -- and it would fund day-to-day operations.

The district said the operating levy will allow schools to continue basic academic programs that earned Reynoldsburg City Schools excellent ratings on state report cards.

Supporters are circulating cards that read, "We know times are tough and you're no millionaire." But supporters said the passage would bring back arts, physical education and music for kindergarten through sixth grades.

Volunteers are now staffing the school library at Rosehill Elementary School.

Campaign Co-Chair Monica DeBrock said it isn't just about the students. They levy is about the community as a whole.

"Right now with the past cuts they've had the past five years, they had to cut $17 million from the budget. It affects the classrooms. It's affected the teachers. It's affected the community," DeBrock said.

The district hasn't had an increase in local millage since 1997.

If it is unable to fund basic state required school functions, a worst-case scenario is that the state could take control of the schools.

Administrators said they are hoping to avoid that.

Below is the fact sheet distributed by the district:

Passage of the school operating levy on Nov. 3 would allow the district to continue the basic academic program that has earned Reynoldsburg City Schools Excellent ratings on the state report card.

This is a much smaller levy than was turned down in May, and so many of the cost savings enacted then will have to be maintained. But it will allow Reynoldsburg to offer a few services that most school districts take for granted. We would:

1. Revise transportation services to provide transportation to and from school K-12.
• Services for K-8 students would resemble what was offered in the past, except that bus stops would be placed more efficiently.
• High school students would be offered a shuttle-type service. Students most likely would be offered a ride from their nearest elementary school to the high school.

2. Reintroduce art, music and physical education in our elementary and middle schools.
• Reynoldsburg is the only school district in the area that does not offer this programming in grade schools.
• The lack of these basic services could deter families from purchasing homes in Reynoldsburg.

3. Reopen our schools for parent and community groups.
• Our partnerships with parent and nonprofit community organizations are improved when we can make the schools accessible for evening and weekend activities.

Reynoldsburg City Schools has been operating without an increase in local millage since 1997. The schools have reduced expenditures and eliminated programming, saving a total of $17 million over the past five years. Inflation and cuts in state funding will make more dramatic cuts necessary in the next two years if no new revenues are approved.

Potential reductions include:
• Junior high school and high school elective courses.
• K-12 core subject teachers, increasing class sizes particularly at the high school.
• Student supports, such as guidance counseling, social work and intervention.
• The possible elimination of the athletic, band, orchestra and choir programs if student participation fees and fundraising are not enough to cover their operational costs.
• Leaving the new Summit Road schools unopened OR closing existing schools.

Even those drastic measures would not end the financial crisis. Ongoing cuts to basic programs would have to be made. If the district were unable to fund the basic state-required school functions, the state could take control of the schools away from the community.

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