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Voters say 'yes' to Pickerington levy
(by Kim Lunsford, staff writer - August 03, 2011)
Pickerington voters said “yes” at the polls Aug. 2, voting in favor of a 5.5-mill operating levy.
The levy, which passed by 643 votes, will cost an additional $168.44 per year or $14.04 a month per $100,000 of home value. Collections begin Jan. 1, 2012.
“We’re very appreciative of the community supporting this levy and the schools,” said Lee Cole, Pickerington Local Schools director of communications.
An additional $5.95 million in revenue will be generated by the levy. The district will use these funds to sustain the day-to-day operating expenses of the district.
“The Pickerington Local School District is at a crossroads,” Cole said. “Resources are scarce and academic expectations are soaring. We are going to take a moment, go through what we are doing and move ahead to give the best quality education for our students that we can give.”
A previous 8-mill replacement levy failed in the Nov. 2 election. That levy would have generated a total of $8.98 million yearly.
In January, the board cut $13 million and 125 teaching and staff jobs from its budget for the 2011-12 school year. District officials said, however, that the passage of the upcoming levy would not restore many, if any, of those positions.
“We will be able to maintain the quality of education that we currently have,” Cole said.
The district still faces an uncertain future with the resignation of former Superintendent Dr. Karen Mantia, which became effective Aug. 1. Currently, Jim Stotler, who held the office of assistant superintendent, is acting interim superintendent.
“There is no decision at this time on the direction for superintendent,” Cole said. “The board is expected to make those decisions in the next few months.”
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