6/27/08

Columbus Dispatch

Simone Sebastian

Columbus schools will seek a combined operating levy and bond issue in the fall that would extend and expand current offerings and fund more school construction.

But after residents expessed concern about a grade-reconfiguration plan that would have eliminated all of the district’s middle schools, district leaders have scaled it back.

Superintendent Gene Harris today asked the school board to support a combined request for a 7.85-mill levy and a bond issue that would be collected at 1.13 mills. The bond will be promoted as a “no new millage” issue because, if taxpayers approve it, they would continue to pay a total of 3.9 mills toward paying off Columbus school bonds.

Combined, the November issue would cost homeowners $275 a year for every $100,000 of assessed value.

The school board unanimously endorsed Harris’ recommendation.

School levies raise operating money that is used for general expenses, such as teachers’ salaries and classroom materials. Bond issues generally pay for capital costs, such as construction.

In addition to new and revamped buildings, Columbus’ plan would use the bond issue to pay for new school buses and computers.

An adviser has told the committee that the district must pass a new bond issue by November 2009 to avoid a higher tax rate for school-construction projects and to afford the staff that oversees them. Money is running out from a $392 million bond issue that voters approved in 2002 that has helped pay for 26 new schools and nine building renovations.

The district is in need of operating money because funds from a 6.95-mill levy that voters approved in 2004 will not keep Columbus schools in the black for much longer. Current projections show the district running out of money before the 2009-10 school year.

A committee of school-board members, residents and business leaders had recommended options for an operating levy that would have cost 7.4 to 8.7 mills. But the panel did not take a position on whether to seek a bond issue or whether to pursue the grade-reconfiguration plan, which left big decisions for the school board.

Harris’ suggestion combined elements of the plans offered by the levy committee.

Each of the committee’s plans included cuts and components of Harris’ plan to improve academics. Those included money to support the new OhioCore curriculum, a longer school day, four regional alternative schools and more security. Cuts included $76 million over four years and the closure of between six and 21 school buildings.

Her grade-reconfiguration plan would have moved all seventh- and eighth-graders to high schools and sixth-graders to elementary schools. Instead of making the change districtwide, Harris now will consider making the change in some parts of the district. Plans are still going forward to make Linden-McKinley a 7-12 school in 2009-10.

Harris has said the change could cut down on students dropping out and improve parental involvement in schools. Because students would attend a school building longer under the plan, there would be more time for parents, teachers and students to form strong relationships, she said.

The move also would have allowed the district to close more school buildings than expected just because of declining enrollment.