Aug 10

Written by: David Stubblebine
8/10/2009 8:03 PM

I would like to take a moment to comment on the article that appeared in the Register on Saturday, August 8.  The fact that Monroeville Local Schools are returning to the ballot in November should not come as a surprise, as I and other District officials have repeatedly stated that we need new money in order to balance our books.    We stated throughout last Spring’s campaign that failure of the levy would require us to come back to renew an Emergency Levy in August.  Since that time, our financial situation has worsened because of lower tax collections due to the bad economy.  We also were recently informed that in House Bill 1, the new state budget bill, we will lose 1% of state funding in fiscal year 2010 and 2% in fiscal year 2011.  Putting the income tax back on the ballot is completely unrelated to Tuesday’s victory at the polls, because that renewal only allows us to sustain our current funding level, which is inadequate beyond fiscal year 2010.  The Board is still committed to providing some property tax relief if voters pass the income tax in November.  We believe this is a fairer tax and will spread out the tax burden.  We will still derive 2/3 of our income from property taxes if the income tax goes through.  But this window will close soon, as we continue to face reduced income, less state funding, and accrue larger deficits.  This school year we were facing a $500,000 deficit, which we cut by nearly $300,000 by letting go of staff, not hiring some coaches and advisors, and not replacing retiring or departing employees.  We worked with a skeleton crew in the summer, and utilized labor from the Huron County Job and Family Services in order to complete needed maintenance. 

We realize that no one likes tax increases, and we certainly do not relish the thought of being on the ballot again.  But the Board and I have to make decisions that are in the best interest of Monroeville Local Schools and its students.  Without increased revenue, we will be forced to go down that dark path of more cuts to staff and programs.  Let’s come together and do this for our school and our kids and get this financial monkey off our back.

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