Levy Supporter Questions Opponents

Dear Editor,

I am a Revere parent, have been an active volunteer in the schools, support the May 3 levy for the Revere Schools, and have been working with my two teenagers to help in the levy education effort.

In order to be fully informed before voting, I have reviewed the Citizens for Responsible School Administration web site, and I have major questions about their information and assumptions.  The group states, "Our plan reasonably anticipates revenue growth beginning again as the economy recovers."  I have a good knowledge of the Ohio school funding process, and do not see specifics that explain this anticipated revenue growth for the Revere Schools, especially in light of the fact that Revere stands to lose more than $3 million per year in state funding based on the proposed state budget.

Citizens for Responsible School Administration argues that "revenue increases at a natural inflationary rate" without also acknowledging that prices have been increasing at an even greater inflationary rate as our nation has struggled with rapidly expanding costs for everything from energy to health care, all of which affect the bottom line for our schools.  Indeed, I would like to know the basis for the group’s assumption that the economy will recover soon enough and strongly enough to produce enough real growth to prevent a .

Emergency school levies, such as the renewal levy approved by voters in February, provide a fixed dollar amount annually that does not increase with inflation.  The total dollars collected remain the same year to year whether a community thrives or suffers and whether the economy goes boom or bust.  When new homes are built in the district, tax dollars collected by such a levy remain constant, but are spread over more residences meaning that individuals actually pay less on that specific levy. Not all of the money that funds our schools comes from fixed dollar levies.  But such levies, which represent twenty percent of revenue for Revere this year, have become the predominant mechanism that our schools have available to meet the need for increased funding due to increased prices.  The proposed Revere 4.83 mill levy that will be voted on in May would provide a fixed dollar amount of $4.76 million annually.

Critically examining the assumptions that underlie the Citizens for Responsible School Administration's financial projections, I find them lacking in substance and support.  My family and I support the upcoming levy for the Revere Schools, and we encourage other Revere citizens to do the same by voting yes on May 3.

Sincerely,

Nancy Doherty
Copley, OH

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