Lowering the Levy: The Financial Fallout

The BOE continues undermining students’ success under the guise of fiscal responsibility. The BOE has yet to learn that fiscal responsibility does NOT equate to a lack of spending. Instead, spending with purpose, spending wisely, and spending for the most effective outcomes reflect fiscal responsibility. Sadly, the BOE’s financial decisions neglect to represent this knowledge.

Springboro currently is working under a 5-year levy for $9.2 million. This levy is set to expire. Rather than seeking to renew the full amount of the existing levy, the BOE has decided to only seek a $7.9 million levy for another 5 years. The Springboro BOE likes to tout its lack of spending as responsible practice. This is far from responsible. Even if the renewal levy passes, the district will have to cut spending that is critical for student success. And if the levy does not pass, the district is in even more trouble. And so while the students will not receive all of the resources and opportunities that should be available to them, rest assured that the BOE will meet its goal of getting the First Place Blue Ribbon Prize for supporting the Lowest Per Pupil Spending in county! Too bad the students in the community will be on the wrong end of that. Below is a comparison chart of school district spending in Warren County. The data are based on 2011-2012 state report cards.

And, since the BOE has not officially negated the notion of including creationism into the public school curriculum, we can expect to be sued, yet again, if they move forward on this.

School District	Administrative	Building Operation	Staff Support	Pupil Support	Instruction	Total
Mason	$800	$2030	$703	$894	$5985	$10412
Kings	$1205	$2169	$213	$1037	$5609	$10233
Carlisle	$921	$1690	$422	$939	$5893	$9865
Franklin	$1156	$1551	$443	$788	$5606	$9544
Little Miami	$768	$1983	$75	$539	$4991	$8356
Wayne	$965	$1199	$505	$797	$4759	$8225
Lebanon	$912	$1784	$307	$688	$4292	$7983
Springboro	$811	$1449	$300	$879	$4373	$7812