BUCKEYE E-NEWSLETTER (FEBRUARY 22, 2010)
On Thursday, February 18th, the Superintendent of the Buckeye Local Schools, Mr. Dennis Honkala, held a meeting to inform the community of the reason for placing a levy on the ballot in May. In our continuing effort to keep the community updated, here is a summary of that meeting:
SUMMARY OF FEBRUARY 18TH LEVY MEETING
1. Mr. Honkala introduced Matt Kirlough and John Sikora, who will co-chair the levy campaign.
2. The Buckeye Board of Education has voted to place a 6.5 mill emergency property tax levy on the ballot on May 4, 2010. This property tax will generate $2,622,000 per year for the district for 5 years. This would be the first “new money” approved by the Buckeye Community in 16 years. NOW is the time!
3. The school district has done what the voters have asked them to do. We have stayed of the ballot for nearly three years and have been financially accountable. During this time the district has become academically stronger than ever before while operating on a shoe string budget.
4. Since the last time on the ballot (May, 2007) the district has been more transparency with financial information through the district’s website and mailings. The district has used many avenues to communicate with parents as well as the entire community through Progress Book, District’s Calendar, www.buckeyeschools.org, Electronic Sign at Elementary School, Alert Now System, www.ourbuckeye.com and the Buckeye Pride. The district’s goal has been to communicate with the community to obtain input in order to earn their trust and give ownership.
5. The community must understand that school finances are not like home finances. The district has two main check books, Permanent Improvement money (Sales Tax) and Operating money. The Permanent Improvement money, which includes the Medina County sales tax, can only be used on items that have a shelf life of five years (maintain building, buses, textbooks). By state law this money cannot be used in the daily operations of the school district. Only Operation money can be used in the daily operations of the school district (salaries/benefits, purchase supplies and pay bills).
6. The elementary school additions and fieldhouse at the track/soccer complex were paid for with Medina County sale tax monies. No Operating money was used on these projects
7. The teachers’ and classified staff’s unions have taken a 0% increase for (09-10) and the administration/exempt employees have taken 0% increase for 2008, 2009 and 2010.
8. Mr. Kirlough and Mr. Sikora discussed the various committees in the levy campaign and asked people to get onboard and help.
Thanks for your time and support!
Ken Woodruff
Community Outreach Coordinator
Buckeye Local Schools