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Pickerington Local Schools. March 4 No New Taxes Renewal. What is Issue 9?. A NO NEW TAX levy renewal Provides for instruction and operating support for the district.
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Pickerington Local Schools March 4 No New Taxes Renewal
What is Issue 9? • A NO NEW TAX levy renewal • Provides for instruction and operating support for the district. • Generates $7.15 million in revenue (8% of the General Fund Budget) for day-to-day operating expenses such as teachers, textbooks, technology and transportation. • Issue 9 maintains strong schools for our community without raising taxes to residents.
What is a Renewal? • A renewal simply allows the district to continue receiving revenue that voters have already approved. • The community approved this instructional levy in 2003 and it is expiring this year. • Community approval of the “renewal” is necessary in order for the district to continue receiving crucial instructional revenue used to teach students. • A levy like Issue 9 allows residents to support their schools without raising taxes.
What Impacts the District’s Budget? • Economy: • Inflationary trends • Recession trends • Declines in interest income (cuts by federal gov’t) • Slow down of student growth • Slow down in new construction • Increases in fuel & utility expenses • Unexpected circumstances or emergencies such as State economic conditions or legislative actions
How does Issue 9 fit with the Contract with the Community? • This issue is the second part of the district’s Contract with the Community unveiled in 2007. • A key element of the Contract is a promise that the district will stretch levy dollars as long as possible. • “Further tightening of our belt”
What does the Financial Success Driver Discuss? • Effective and efficient use of all resources. • Financial management that monitors revenue streams and expenditure growth. • Communication with the community about district finances.
How will this Money be Spent? • Once Issue 9 is approved, Pickerington Local Schools will: • Open the three new schools currently under construction. • Achieve the Team Goal of being a high performance school district with high quality learning environments for every student. • All money will stay here in Pickerington. No money will be sent to the state or federal levels.
What are the Economic Benefits to the Community? • Strong schools protect property value investments.
What if the No New Taxes Renewal does not pass? • The district will lose $7.15 million or 8 percent of the General Fund Operating Budget in needed revenue. Deep cuts will be unavoidable and greatly affect the districts’ ability to provide a quality education to students. • $3.5 million in cuts would be needed before the 2008-09 school year begins in order for the district to stay fiscally stable. • Deep cuts into the system including: • Staff cuts across the board including administrators, teachers and support staff; • Increased classroom sizes; • Less transportation services and longer ride times for those students still receiving services; and, • Fewer instructional and extra curricular programs and opportunities for students.
When is the No New Taxes Renewal on the Ballot? • Issue 9 • Tuesday March 4, 2008 • Presidential Primary - you can vote on Issue 9 even if you do not want to vote in the primary. You can ask for an “issues only” ballot and vote without indicating your party. • You may also request an Absentee Ballot and vote from the comfort of your home.