BUCKEYE E-NEWLETTER (December, 2009)
I would like to thank all the community members who participated in the November E-Survey regarding the May levy. For those of you who were not able to participate in the survey, please contact me at woody@buckeyeschools.org.
RESULTS OF BUCKEYE E-SURVEY
Question One: Are you aware that the Buckeye Local School district has not passed an additional operating levy in 16 years and has one of the lowest operating property taxes in Medina County?
Response
YES 425 86.53%
NO 66 13.47%
Question Two: Because of numerous reductions in the past, the Buckeye schools are operating at bare minimums in several areas. If given a choice as to the method of preferred tax, which would you be able to support?
Response
PROPERTY TAX 222 51.15%
TAXING EARNED INCOME 208 47.93%
TAXING ALL INCOME 11 2.53%
Question Three: Would you be willing to vote in favor of an additional tax to support the Buckeye Local Schools and its children?
Response
YES 366 75.78%
NO 117 24.22%
Question Six: Do you believe this electronic survey is an effective method of gathering a large sampling of data and would you be willing to complete an additional short electronic survey?
Response
YES 419 87.29%
NO 61 12.71%
QUESTIONS FOUR AND FIVE: These questions ask people to list the reasons why they would or would not support the Buckeye Local School’s Levy. What I would like to do in the remainder of this E-Newsletter and in January’s E-Newsletter is answer some of the questions asked by community members on the survey.
1. If the law states that the district cannot use the sales tax money for operating expenses, can the school districts in Medina County do something to have the law changed to allow the money from sales tax to be used where it is most needed? If not, why?
The sales tax money can never be used for operating expenses. The ballot language and law specifically states that the money must be used for items that have a shelf life of 5 years or more (permanent improvement items).
2. Instead of asking us for more money, why doesn’t the district ask its employees to take a pay cut or reduction in health care benefits?
Our employees contribute 10% to their health care benefit package. This amount is far more than most schools in our area. Our teachers have taken a 0% raise on the base pay for the 2009-2010 school year. Our administrators, supervisors and exempt employees have taken two years of a 0% raise.
3. If the levy passes, will the district re-open Litchfield Elementary School? If not, why?
The district has no plans at this time to open Litchfield Elementary School. With the new addition to the Primary and Intermediate Schools (which are paid for with Medina County Sales Tax Money), the district does not need the space at Litchfield Elementary. It is important to know that the district has tried to sell and lease the building for the past five years. We currently are renting space at Litchfield to a day care center. We have removed and are utilizing any and all usable assets (furniture, text books, office supplies, library books, etc.) from that building.
4. If the district is not going to re-open Litchfield Elementary School, then why doesn’t the district just sell it?
We have been and will continue to look for a buyer of the school.
We are willing to rent space to anyone who approaches us.
Thanks again for your support and interest in the Buckeye Local Schools. Happy holidays to you and your family!
Yours with Pride!
Ken Woodruff
Community Outreach Coordinator
Buckeye Local Schools