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Reynoldsburg Schools levy fails
(by Kim Lunsford, Staff Writer - November 04, 2009)
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| Messenger photo by Kim Lunsford |
| Reynoldsburg City Schools Board President Cheryl Max and Business Manager Ron Strusson look to the computer for an update as results started to come into district administration offices Nov. 3. |
Reynoldsburg City Schools will have to cut an additional $3 to $4 million from expenditures to balance the budget, Superintendent Steve Dackin said after voters rejected a 9.9-mil operating levy Nov. 3.
“I'm disappointed,” Dackin said. “We will do what is right for the kids in this community.”
After voters rejected a 15.6-mil levy in May, the district moved to cut $11million from its budget. The board voted to put the lower 9.9-mil levy on the ballot for voters to consider.
Included in previous cuts were the elimination of elementary art, music and gym as well as transportation for high school students and those elementary students living within two miles of their schools.
With the district facing more cuts, the board will be looking for other areas to make those reductions.
Possibilities could include reductions of course offerings, increase in class size, the possibility of closing some schools as well as a delay in opening the two new buildings slated to open sometime in 2011 or 2012.
“We will forge ahead and do right by the kids,” Dackin said. “We will continue to ensure our children reach the excellent standard we are at now.”
Unofficial results showed 4,552 voted against the levy, with 3,770 voted for the levy.
Dackin said the numbers show that voters standing behind the levy increased from the May vote, but it was still not enough.
“Even though we are disappointed, hopefully the community will still pull together to meet the needs of the schools and the students.” Levy co-chairperson Monica DeBrock said.
Levy co-chairperson Craig Oiler agreed saying, “Reynoldsburg is resilient. We'll bounce back from this together.”
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