Your questions about the West Carrollton School District Levy answered

On+March+15%2C+West+Carrollton+voters+will+decide+whether+or+not+to+pass+the+school+levy+for+5.5.+mills.+This+symbol+has+been+all+over+the+district+to+raise+awareness+for+the+levy.+

Image provided by Ms. Shockley

On March 15, West Carrollton voters will decide whether or not to pass the school levy for 5.5. mills. This symbol has been all over the district to raise awareness for the levy.

News Staff

The West Carrollton School District will vote on whether or not to pass a school levy to keep West Carrollton Schools a district of choice in Ohio. On Tuesday, March 15, registered voters in West Carrollton will head to the polls to vote “yes” on Issue 20.

Below, you will find the answers to some of the most common questions WCHS students have about the levy.

What is the levy? 

You may be wondering exactly what this levy is asking for, so we’re going to tell you exactly that! The levy is asking for a mere 5.5 mills to help make up for the district’s lack of revenue in the past few years. According to Friends of West Carrollton Schools, the levy is needed due to a lack of revenue anScreen Shot 2016-02-19 at 11.45.33 AMd not due to expenditures. This means that the district isn’t spending lots and lots of money, they have just lost income that they used to receive from the state. Over the past six years, the district has lost over 18 mills of revenue due to restrictions made in the Tangible Personal Property Reimbursement (where the school receives money from the government) and because the district is considered “capped” by the state government and only receives 81% of state funding. According to the district’s superintendent Dr. Rusty Clifford, the district has spent careful consideration on what the average community member can afford to contribute to the district. This levy isn’t asking for all the money the district needs after their lack of revenue, but it is asking for what the district can afford. The cost is $16.04 a month for a home valued at $100,000.

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Why should I vote for the levy? 

If the levy doesn’t pass, it will go on the ballot again in November. If the levy doesn’t pass in November, the school wiScreen Shot 2016-02-19 at 11.45.44 AMll not be able to afford running the way that it does now. Without this money, the district will be forced to cut funding. Although no funding decisions have yet been made, if they levy doesn’t pass there will be what Dr. Clifford referred to as “logical consequences” for financial compensation. In order to prevent such consequences, the levy needs to pass.

Additionally, voters should feel confident that money gained from the levy will be well spent. According to the di

strict’s website, the last operating levy passed in 2007. Dr.Clifford said that we have stretched our money for 9 years and described WCSD as a “lean, mean, fiscally conservative machine.” According to Dr. Clifford, districts typically have a levy every three to five years and WCSD has been very conservative with expenditures. If Issue 20 is passed, the levy serves as an investment in the district’s future, the district’s students and the West Carrollton community.

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How can I help get the levy passed? 

Dr. Clifford expressed confidence in the community’s interest in the district. He said that he knows the community loves West Carrollton Schools. He emphasized that the greatest challenge in getting the levy passed will be getting people to the polls to vote. The levy doesn’t share a ballot with a high stakes issue on a national scale, such as the selection of a presidential candidate, so encouraging people to go vote for one issue is difficult. The best way for WCHS students to get the levy passed is to encourage the registered voters they know to vote “yes” on Issue 20 on March 15.

WCSD is spreading awareness about the levy many ways. For example, the district has posted a billboard on I-75 visible when you pass the high school. Friends of West Carrollton Schools mailed cards to registered voters in West Carrollton in addition to postcards for absentee voters. Dr. Clifford has given elementary school students, some middle school students and all staff members bracelets reminding everyone who is eligible to vote to make it out on March 15.

You have probably noticed the 5.5 hand posters that appeared in the windows of classrooms over Christmas break. WCSD has posted 5.5 mill posters with the hand in windows throughout the schools in the district.

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How can I vote for the levy? 

First, you will need to ensure you are a registered voter. If you will be 18 on March 15, you can vote “yes” for the levy. Questions about that? See the article about how to become a registered voter here.

Next, you will need to schedule some time on Tuesday, March 15 to make your way to the polls. Your registered voter card will tell you where your designated polling station is. You will go there to vote.

If you have an extraordinarily busy schedule, you may still be able to vote for the levy. Dr. Clifford said that all 18 year old WCHS students will receive the opportunity to cast their vote for Issue 20. He suggested that WCHS principal Mr. Craig Myers will make arrangements for students to vote during the school day.

When asked to confirm, Mr.Myers said that registered voters will be permitted to school late if they were voting. Mr. Myers also said the school will host a voter’s breakfast for students who come to school late because they were at the polls.

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In order to get the levy passed, encourage your friends, family and fellow community members to vote “yes” on March 15!

Mrs. Parsons, Mr. Thobe and Ms. Babb show their Pirate pride at the Chili Cook Off on Friday, February 12.
Ms. Betz
Mrs. Parsons, Mr. Thobe and Ms. Babb show their Pirate pride at
the Chili Cook Off on Friday, February 12.