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Pickerington Schools to place levy on November ballot
The Pickerington Local School District plans to place a levy on the November ballot.
Within the next several months the administration will determine how much money to ask from the taxpayers, Treasurer Dan Griscom said at the Feb. 8 school board meeting.
Higher costs combined with less state funding and a 7 percent drop in income tax collections will result in a budget deficit, Griscom said.
By the end of fiscal year 2011, the district could face a deficit ranging from $260,000 to $2 million, Griscom said.
That number would grow exponentially such that the 2012 deficit would reach $19.7 million and in 2013 the deficit would reach $40.6 million, Griscom said.
Superintendent Dr. Karen Mantia said the administration analyzed the budget and already made $4 million in cuts without compromising the quality of education.
“In these economic times we really understand that we have to tighten our belt,” Mantia said.
However, cost cuts alone will not solve the district’s problem, she said.
“Inevitably we have to look for additional revenue sources,” Mantia said.
The administration rejected the notion of placing a levy on the May ballot in an attempt to stretch the district’s dollars as long as possible, Mantia said.
In other business, the district approved five-year contracts for Mantia and Griscom. Neither received a raise.
“With the tight financial condition, we both realized constraint,” Griscom said.
Mantia’s contract begins Aug. 1, 2011 and pays $144,000 per year. Griscom’s contract begins Aug. 1, 2010 and pays $104,500 per year.
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