|
At the Aug. 14, 2007 Board of Education Meeting, the Oakwood Board approved a resolution to place a 6.5 mill Operating Levy on the Nov. 6, 2007 ballot. This tax levy would provide $2.001 million per year for the Oakwood Schools and would cost the owner of a home valued at $200,000 - as appraised by the county - $33.18 per month or $398.16 per year. This proposed increase would first appear on the tax bills of Oakwood residents in January 2008.
It has been three years since the last Operating Levy was placed before Oakwood voters. In November 2004, Oakwood residents approved a 5.50 mill Operating Levy.
Because Oakwood is so reliant on local financial support and receives limited state funding, we have a need to return to the voters approximately every three years.
In May 2007, citizens approved a 1.8 mill Permanent Improvement Replacement Levy. It is not unusual for residents to ask, “What is the difference between the two types of levies?”
Operating levies are used to pay the day-by-day operating costs of running a school district: salaries, insurance, and retirement as required by state law; instructional materials; utilities and other purchased services. Permanent Improvement levies are used to fund building repairs, improve school property and assets, and purchase equipment with an expected “life” of at least five years. Proceeds from Permanent Improvement levies cannot be used to pay current operating costs.
Over the past twenty six years, seventeen levy requests have been placed before Oakwood voters by the Oakwood Schools. Sixteen levies have passed.
Nine Operating Levies: Oakwood voters have approved all nine. Even though voters have approved 58.45 mills over this twenty-nine year period, only 30.14 mills are actually being collected today. This is a result of HB 920, passed by the Ohio Legislature in 1976, which ruled that as property values increase schools could not receive any more money than what was originally voted.
Six Permanent Improvement Levies: The original 2.00 mill PI levy was approved in 1978 and has been renewed five times and replaced one time. In May 2007 it was replaced at 1.8 mills.
One Income Tax Levy: A new 1 percent Income Tax Levy was defeated by voters in February 1990. In May 1990, voters approved a 14.25 mill Operating Levy.
One Bond Issue: The 4.95 mill Bond Issue was passed in November 2002. These funds were used to complete the district’s 21 million dollar building renovation project during 2003-2005.
The Oakwood Board of Education, administrators, faculty and staff understand the importance of engaging our community in frank, open discussions about the specifics of the Operating Levy we are placing before voters this November. We have scheduled a number of community meetings to meet with citizens and present our case. Additionally, the Citizens Levy Advisory Committee will be providing print information during the month of October that addresses citizen questions.
A series of Levy presentations have been scheduled for October to provide Oakwood citizens with an opportunity to hear the facts of the district, have their questions answered, and learn about the need for this levy. These presentations are open to all citizens:
Monday, Oct. 15, 7 p.m. at the OJH/OHS Library.
Tuesday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m. at the Smith School Library.
Friday, Oct. 19, 1 p.m. at the Harman School Library.
Tuesday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m. at the Harman School Library.
Additional presentations will be made at the following organization meetings:
Tuesday, Oct. 9, 7 p.m. at the Smith School PTO Meeting
Thursday, Oct. 11, 11:45 a.m. at the OJH/OHS PTO Meeting
Friday, Oct. 19, 7 a.m. at the Oakwood Rotary Meeting
Residents who are unable to attend the scheduled meetings are invited and encouraged to contact Mr. Kevin Philo, Treasurer, or myself with your questions. We can be reached by phone at 297-5332 or via email at scalzo.maryjo@oakwood.k12.oh.us or philo.kevin@oakwood.k12.oh.us.
By Jim Uphoff, Ed. D.
Looking back over the 18 years I have been one of five persons on the Oakwood Board of Education has led me to reflect on why so many folks have chosen to move to our city. The quality of our Oakwood School System has been a major answer given often. But what exactly has that meant. Join me as I continue to identify in no particular order the actions/events/etc., which have made our system one of excellence!
PTO and Booster groups have played such a tremendous role in helping the system to move ahead. For example both elementary schools and Lange have wonderful new playgrounds which serve not only the school, but also the neighborhoods. The new and much improved weight and fitness room at the Jr/Sr High School, along with the new track and dugouts for softball were among the huge projects of the Athletic Boosters. New band uniforms and choir robes came from their respective support groups. My pride in who we are stems from this kind of working together on behalf of our children. And NONE of this was done with tax dollars!
Oakwood Schools Education Foundation has been strategically repositioned through the recent Grants Endowment Campaign to play an increasingly significant role in support of Oakwood students and teachers. Among the major contributions of the Foundation have been teacher grants and professional development special funding to enhance curriculum and instruction in our district. For example over a three year period several Oakwood teams participated in learning workshops at Harvard University and then shared with their colleagues when they returned home. Science Lab upgrades for 7-12, SmartBoard technology, classroom Amplification Systems at all three elementary buildings, and many teacher grants for specific instruction-related projects have also been possible via the contributions of many of us.
C.I.A. position was created in 1999 to bring focused attention and leadership to Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment—the core work of our district. This position ensures that the essential task of making sure that our program of study and all of its elements are being given the explicit attention needed. Eight years after its creation, this district role continues to serve our students well.
Major gifts have saved millions of dollars for us. The Lange School, our fiber-optic technology infrastructure, and the high school auditorium sound and seating upgrades are just a few examples of major gifts that have saved the district many dollars. These gifts, in turn, have stimulated many more smaller-but-important gifts that continue to be a beneficial factor for us.
South Connection, our Oakwood Latch-key program was created in the late 1980s in response to our own community needs. It grew and then out-grew our ability to house it inside our existing buildings, but was able to find a permanent home when Lange School was established. We have partnered with South Community, Inc. since the beginning of this year-round “before and after school” care program. Its cost is parent-paid through tuition charges.
I have so many more examples that depict the excellence of our school district over the past two decades to share in my next column. However, I know there are “elements of pride” that I have not thought of, so I look to you readers to call them to my attention. Please email me right away! (jkuphoff@aol.com)
The next Oakwood Junior and Senior High School PTO meeting is Thursday, Oct. 11 at 11:45 a.m. in Room 211. Superintendent Mary Jo Scalzo will answer questions about the continuing operating levy that will be on the Nov. 6 ballot. There will also be reports from Principals Joe Boyle and Dan Weckstein on recent school events. All parents are welcome to attend. School directories are still available for purchase.
Lange School’s Scholastic Book Fair, Book Fair Blizzard, will be held Wednesday, Oct. 17, 9:30 – 6 p.m., and Thursday, Oct. 18, 9:30 – 6 p.m. This is Lange School’s ONLY fundraiser for the year and the entire Oakwood community is welcome to stop in and shop!
Mark your calendars for the Book Fair’s Family Night, which will be Wednesday evening, Oct. 17, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Kids will be able to participate in some fun winter-themed arts and crafts activities. The bake sale also will be held during the evening’s festivities, so you will want to arrive hungry!
Each year, a raffle is held during the Book Fair’s Family Night. All proceeds from the raffle are used to benefit Lange School, its teachers and students. This year, proceeds will allow our students to experience the Boonshoft Museum’s Exhibits to Go programs; they will also provide hospitality for the countless volunteers who make Lange such a great place for our kids; and they will be used to purchase a network color copier for Lange teachers and staff.
Thank you for supporting Lange School and encouraging our students to read!
top of page
|
