Back in the game!
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| Messenger photo by Pat Donahue |
| Franklin Heights High School basketball coach, Todd Phillips, and Falcon senior, Reese Rogers, demonstrate a dunk for more than 50 basketball hopefuls at the Nov. 6 practice. This was the first practice held at the school since the start of the school year. |
Students in the South-Western City Schools District are back in the game since the Nov. 3 election.
Voters approved the district’s permanent 7.4-mill operating levy by just over 400 votes. The unofficial results from the Franklin County Board of Elections report that 19,591 residents voted for the levy, while 19,178 voted against it.
The measure will add $227 of taxes each year for every $100,000 in property value. It will generate $18.5 million for the district annually.
Sports and extracurricular activities
The passage of the issue will allow students to participate in athletics and extracurricular activities. Winter sports athletes have already started practice. The difference - this year they have to pay to play.
The board of education agreed if voters supported the levy, the district would institute a pay-to-participate system.
The fee structure includes:
•$150 per participant for high school athletics;
•$100 per participant for marching band;
•$75 per participant for middle school athletics;
•$20 per participant for clubs.
There will be a cap of $500 per family and no financial waiver.
This is the second highest fee for high school sports in Franklin County, coming in second to Reynoldsburg.
Deputy Superintendent Phil Warner said it is likely the number of participants in activities will decline with the fee amount. He said if 3,500 students participate in activities, it would generate nearly $380,000 and offset the general fund by about 14 percent.
Last year, extracurricular activities cost the district $3.7 million.
Transportation
Another thing on its way back, with the passage of the levy, is high school busing.
“We are still working on ways to improve transportation efficiency,” said Warner.
The deputy superintendent explained those who had a bus ride prior to the August levy failure will once again receive the service. He believes busing will be back as of Nov. 30.
The district will also bring back some transportation positions.
Facilities
Harrisburg Elementary School and the Kingston School will remain closed, but facilities will open its doors after school hours.
Warner explained that while the buildings may be open, the district will still keep costs down by conserving utilities.
More cuts
Since the levy defeats in May and August, the district has eliminated 66 positions. In the past three years, the district has cut approximately 300 positions and $22 million from its budget.
Superintendent Bill Wise said even with the extra operating dollars, they will need to make about $15 million in budget reductions over the next four years.
“It cannot be business as usual,” he remarked.
The board of education has promised to make the funds generated from this levy last for four years.
It took the district four tries to pass the tax levy.