Delaware Gazette Endorses Olentangy School Levy

Wednesday, 27 April 2011 07:41

The Olentangy Local School District is in a difficult situation this election season. It faces perhaps the most unfriendly voting environment in recent memory, one born in part out of the most significant recession in our life- times.

It is easy to understand the voter frustration, just as it is easy to object to higher taxes in tough economic times. Doing so in this case, however, ignores the districtʼs unique situation — specifically, its growth of 22 percent since it last asked voters for an operating levy.

The Gazette recognizes that situation and endorses the Olentangy School Districtʼs 7.9-mill levy, a tax that combines an operating levy with a no-additional millage bond issue. Its approval would cover day-to-day expenses such as utilities, classroom supplies and salaries. The bond issue component would go toward construction of an elementary school and other capital improvements, books and technology.

The levy is a necessity brought on largely by the districtʼs continued growth, and thereʼs no arguing with the numbers; enrollment at Olentangy has increased by 2,931 students since 2008, when district voters last passed an operating levy. No other district in the state is dealing with such rapid growth. In fact, by way of comparison, the next fastest growing school district in Ohio saw its enrollment increase by less than half that of Olentangyʼs.

While growth can provide new property tax revenue, Delaware County has experienced a significant drop-off in new housing developments. Yet that has not stalled the influx of new students to Olentangy, with its reputation for delivering a quality education. More importantly, most of Olentangyʼs growth has been the result of new students moving into existing homes, or transferring from private schools, so the revenues have not increased sufficiently in conjunction with the growth.

On top of that, the district is facing significant cuts as a result of changes in state budget reductions and funding methods. All total, Olentangy faces a $9.3 million loss in state funding. Even if the levy passes, the district has promised to make $4.5 million in cuts to help address the loss in state funding. Combined with the state cuts, however, failure to pass the levy will result in a whopping $25.2 million in required cuts, district officials have said.

If the decision as to whether to support a school levy is based on a districtʼs fiscal responsibility, then Olentangyʼs levy deserves support. While the district would do well to rein in its administrator and employee pay levels, it is true that the districtʼs cost-per-pupil ratio is the second lowest among similar major school districts in Central Ohio. In addition, Olentangy produces results in the form of student achievement. It has the second highest performance index in Central Ohio, with more than 98 percent of its graduates going on to attend college. In other words, Olentangy spends less per student and performs at a higher level than other districts.

The Gazette urges voters to support the Olentangy Local School Districtʼs 7.9-mill levy.

League of Women Voters Endorses Levy

Wednesday, 27 April 2011 07:04

To the editor:

I am writing on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Delaware County to inform the citizens of Delaware County that the League of Women Voters endorses the Olentangy School levy, the Development Disabilities levy and the 911 levy.

During these very tough economic times, it can be difficult to decide where to spend your hard earned dollars and where to make cuts. The public school systems of Delaware County are struggling with the same issues. It has always been the purpose of the League to support the public school systems and the voters of Delaware County have most generally responded in support of their local schools.

The schools are performing excellently on the standardized tests administered by the State of Ohio and strong local schools will help to pro- mote continued growth of the county. Therefore, the League encourages you to support the investment in our children’s future by supporting the local school levies.

The Developmental Disabilities levy is requesting an increase of only five cents per $100,000 dollars of home value. This is a very small increase that could make a huge impact on the lives of the developmentally disabled people of Delaware County. My experience with children that have developmental disabilities is that they have been blessed with parents that have the most love and patience I have ever witnessed. The League requests that you seriously consider assisting these families by supporting the very small levy that is being requested.

The 911 levy is a renewal levy. Approving this levy will not cost taxpayers any additional tax dollars out of their pocket but will ensure adequate funding of the 911 ser vice. How many of us can remember fumbling through the telephone book for the police and fire departments? Again, good emergency response times assist in marketing Delaware County to promote continued growth of the county.

The economy today makes all of us aware of the places where we can cut our expenses. The League of Women Voters encourages you to look into your heart and vote for these levies AND, if you are financially able to do so, please support these levies with your pocketbook as well.

Whatever your decision, please vote on May 3.

Diane Badertscher, Co President League of Women Voters of Delaware Count

OCC to develop Contingency Plans for possible Levy Failure

Saturday, 23 April 2011 18:30

The Ohio Capital Conference will take action this week with the Scheduling Committee and the Executive Committee to develop a Contingency Plan in case of a failed levy within the Olentangy School District. The Conference could be impacted by the results of that levy as soon as this fall as the District has made a firm decision to eliminate all Fall Sports if the levy is rejected by the voters. Three High Schools in the Olentangy District are part of the Ohio Capital Conference which includes Olentangy High School and Olentangy Liberty High School (Cardinal Division) and Olentangy Orange High School (Capital Division).

“All of the member schools of the Ohio Capital Conference are aware of the impact that a failed levy within the Olentangy School District will have not only on those schools but the ramifications that it will have on our Conference and most importantly the scheduling conflict that could occur for the Fall of 2011. Our position has been to always monitor what is developing but not to speculate on what will happen before all of the discussions are completed and the levy is voted on by the community but Conference administrators felt a need to proceed with a Contingency Plan that could be put in place immediately following the vote if in fact the levy does not pass on May 3rd”, said Commissioner Dave Cecutti.

“Two years ago we were forced to deal with the Southwest City School situation that will give us a view of what our other schools should expect with scheduling, league championships and other related athletic situations. Our Scheduling Committee has outlined a plan that will help us navigate through a similar situation if needed. I know I speak for all of our member schools when I say that we are fully supportive of the Olentangy School District and are hopeful that the outcome will be a positive one for everyone involved. We will continue to have open discussions with them and to communicate what the Conference position will be throughout the next few weeks" Cecutti added.

About the Ohio Capital Conference
The Ohio Capital Conference (OCC) was established in 1966 with five member schools joining the league. After 45 years of existence, the OCC currently has 32 member schools that compete in four divisions and sponsor 25 interscholastic sports. The Ohio Capital Conference is one of the largest high school conferences in the country.

Olentangy Links Operating Levy, Sports

Sunday, 20 February 2011 16:33

This Week News 2/17/11

Tom Sheehan

Olentangy Local Schools faces extensive cutbacks, including up to 124 staff positions and elimination of most busing and of all sports and other extracurricular activities, next school year if the combination operating

levy-bond issue fails on May 3. Superintendent Wade Lucas told school board members at a Feb. 9 work session that such reductions would total about $11.48-million. "We had a tough, tough decision to make," Lucas said. "We had to cut $11-million. ... What we tried to do through the entire process is to keep it fair. It's not a pretty sight."

While Lucas expressed confidence that the three-year bond issue and 7.9-mill operating levy will be approved in the spring, he said the district has to be ready if the issue fails. Traditionally, the school board has approved a list of possible cutbacks in case a tax issue fails. The board plans to vote on Lucas' list at its regular meeting on Feb. 23. Lucas said the main purpose of the possible cutbacks is to try to protect academic programs as much as possible.

Board president Julie Wagner Feasel said the district is not using threats or scare tactics but is dealing in reality if the issue fails. "Our school district has already cut $15.7-million (since 2008),' she said. "Now you are looking at things that are near and dear to people's hearts." The biggest cuts would be in personnel: an estimated 76 teaching positions ($5.5-million), nine administrative jobs ($480,000) and up to 39 classified positions ($155,000), mostly bus drivers. In addition, elimination of all extracurricular and co-curricular activities, including sports, in the 2011-12 school year would save about $2.97-million. Most of that savings would be in supplemental contracts for coaches and others.

The elimination of high school busing and busing for all other students within two miles of all elementary and middle schools would save an estimated $1.57-million. Nearly $700,000 would be saved by eliminating the three resource officers at the high schools, busing for field trips (including sporting events), athletic trainers and extended service contracts. To meet union contractual requirements and to give people time to look for other jobs, the district intends to send out lay-off (or reduction in force) notifications to some staff members by March 31. Nothing will happen if the May issue passes.

Lucas said he and his staff explored increasing pay-to-play fees, now about $75 per sport, but determined that they would have to raise the fee to between $800 and $1,000 per sport per participant. Fees for other activities, such as marching band, also would increase significantly. "I'm not sure we want to create a culture of haves and have-nots" which favors those who can afford to play, Lucas said. Board member Scott Galloway suggested further discussion is needed on pay-to-participate fees. Members Wagner Feasel, David King and Stacy Dunbar seemed opposed to high fees, as well as to what kind of message that could send. "How can we have a football team on the field when we are cutting teachers?" Wagner Feasel asked. "When we start cutting our certified teachers, we start impacting our academics. There's no booster club to raise money for teachers." Wagner Feasel's husband is head girls basketball coach at Olentangy High School and one of her daughters plays on the team. "We want to provide everybody with the opportunity to do everything," Dunbar said. "We have to pass the levy."

The levy would raise about $25.5-million a year and cost the owner of a $100,000 house an additional $241.94 annually. The no-new-millage bond issue would raise about $24.4-million a year by restructuring the district's current bond debt. It would pay for a new elementary school, textbooks and other things such as some capital improvements. Even with passage of the tax issue, school officials have said about $4.5-million in reductions would be needed next school year. Officials have said those reductions, such as not filling some vacant staff positions, would not adversely impact academic or other programs.

Board member Kevin O'Brien asked how many other opportunities the district will have to put an issue on the ballot if it fails in May. Treasurer Becky Jenkins said the district could place it on the November ballot.  She also reminded the board that the projected $11.48-million in cuts is only to get the district through November. If no tax issue passes this year, the district will have to make an additional $12-million to $13-million in cuts.  "As unfortunate as these cuts ($11.48-million) are, the next round is going to be a lot worse," she told the  board.