By JANIE SOUTHARD
jsouthard@dailystandard.com
ST. HENRY — The school district is hoping for better results
on the March ballot as they go back to the voters with a 9.52-mill
emergency operating levy.
The new five-year proposal is 0.23 mills less than the levy
that failed in November and would generate $730,000.
The dollar amount is the same as the failed levy, because the
village’s valuation increased and less millage will bring
in the same dollars.
Village residents also will see a 0.74-mill reduction on the
bond retirement fund that paid for the school construction project.
Mercer County Auditor Mark Giesige told board members the increase
in valuation and carryover from previous years is more than
enough to cover the principal and interest to lower the bond
obligation from 4.74 mills to 4 mills.
Like most Ohio school districts, St. Henry suffered state budget
cuts, which will see the district with a projected budget deficit
of $608,900 by the end of fiscal year 2004. A continuing trend
will mount a $1.2 million deficit by fiscal year 2007, school
officials have said.
District Treasurer Glenn Miller said there is a freeze on spending
for many items and “cost containments and cuts are continuing.”
Superintendent Rod Moorman told members he has several meetings
scheduled this week with classified and certified staff to discuss
proposed cuts and alternatives to address the weak financial
position.
“We’ll be going line by line to see where we can
tweak to save money,” Moorman said.
High school Principal Frank Griesdorn said tutors are needed
to help special needs kids.
“We haven’t had good results in finding tutors.
People may be afraid to volunteer because they think they’ll
have to tutor calculus, but really, it’s often just overseeing
that kids get things organized and accomplished,” Griesdorn
told board members.
Seniors citizens will be breakfast guests at the high school
Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. for the annual breakfast. Moorman said
there will be a holiday program. The event is being sponsored
by Dave’s Market in St. Henry.
Also at the meeting, Matt Dippold, state golf qualifier, the
volleyball all-state first team members and the state runner-up
volleyball team were honored with St. Henry Award Pins.
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