Aurora schools count on levy
October 10, 2012
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Aurora City Schools superintendent Russ Bennett says the school levy is necessary to maintain the same quality of education.
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Resident David Dubensky wants to make sure teachers are also helping the school district’s financial matters if he is going to support the levy. His two daughters are Aurora school students.
The cost of education may soon hit the wallets of Aurora taxpayers.
Aurora City Schools is asking voters to approve a 5.9-mill operating levy on the November ballot.
It’s the reason the superintendent and school officials met with the community Tuesday night at Aurora High School. They addressed residents’ concerns about the levy.
David Dubensky is an Aurora resident. His two daughters both attend Aurora schools. He wants to make sure everyone is making sacrifices to help the school district maintain the same quality of education, including the teachers and staff.
“I just want to make sure that if I’m going to reach into my pockets, pull more out, and vote ‘yes’ for this levy, I want to make sure the teachers are doing the same,” Dubensky said.
Seven staff positions have already been cut over the past three years. District employees have also taken 2-year salary freezes. These are only a few recent reductions to save more than $1 million over the past 3 years.
The levy would cost most homeowners about $180 in extra taxes each year. The money is added to the general fund for Aurora City Schools. These funds will cover the costs of daily operating expenses, including supplies, curriculum, utilities, transportation and salary and benefits.
Salaries and benefits account for 86 percent of the school district’s budget. If the levy does not pass, Aurora schools will be forced to cut teachers and staff.
“We believe teachers are the most important people who deal with kids,” said Aurora City Schools superintendent Russ Bennett. “We want to make sure we have the best teachers in the classroom to make sure we have the best education.”
Other Ohio schools are also feeling the pinch from funding cuts. Aurora is one of 167 school districts across the state placing a levy on the ballot.
The levy comes after the state of Ohio cut a total of $2.1 million funding previously supplied the school district. Aurora schools are also trying to catch up from a total loss of $1.8 million from personal property taxes.
Aurora residents heading to the polls November 6th will not only decide the fate of the levy; their votes will ultimately determine the future of education in Aurora schools.
Contact Doug Rogers at [email protected].
