PERRYSBURG – The
school board approved the final step to put an emergency replacement levy on
November’s ballot Tuesday, at the same time noting criticism they’ve received
from residents about the plans for the upcoming levy.Board members approved the
measure for the levy unanimously at their monthly work session. The levy would
replace a 9.95-mill incremental levy, passed in 2008, which runs out in
December. The new four-year levy would collect 13.15 mills, or $10 million, in
its first year, and increase that amount incrementally through 2016, in which it
would collect 17 mills, or $12.9 million. The annual increase in the levy is
approximately $26 per month on a $200,000 home.Prior to the vote, board member
Mark Schoenlein noted that he has received feedback critical of the levy, with
residents stating "What did you guys screw up that you had to ask for so
much more?" or "It’s too much at once."At previous board
meetings, presentations by Superintendent Tom Hosler have discussed the need for
the increased expenses, citing issues including sharply declining state
financial support for schools. A levy failure, he has said, would mean the lost
of 20 percent of the school’s funding and deep cuts to personnel and other
areas.Schoenlein advocated for a clear presentation to the voting public as to
how the levy funds would be spent. Failing that, he said, "it’d be pretty
hard, in my mind, to pass this."Board member Gretchen Downs also stated she
had heard concerns from the public, but noted "when you lose state dollars,
you have to make them up at the local level.""I think our story (of
the district’s success) is so good, and to be totally transparent is good,"
she said.At the meeting, Hosler, citing increased residential development in the
city which will draw more families with students, said that if the levy passes,
hiring more teachers has "got to be the first priority."Financial
issues necessitated slashing the district’s staffing by six percent since 2008,
while enrollments in Perrysburg schools have risen five percent."All of us
take this incredibly seriously," said Board President Barry Van Hoozen.
"It’s very personal.""All of us take the spending of other
people’s money very seriously."In other business, the board heard from
Hosler about updated plans for a revised evaluation and compensation system for
district administrators. Plans would feature a system based more heavily on
performance. It is hoped the new system will be fully integrated by the end of
the school year.