BY BERNIE MIXON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SHARONVILLE -- The Princeton Board of Education is expected to vote in August on a recommendation to place an operating levy on the ballot in November. Meanwhile, Citizens for Princeton Now, a group of parents, school personnel and business leaders, has come out in favor of the tax levy, saying it will ensure education quality in the district.
Monday, a Princeton City School District Business Advisory Council task force presented a financial assessment to the board to urge the passage of the levy to avoid a $5 million deficit.
"Based on the current financial condition and future year projections, the Princeton City School District needs a revenue increase now to cover costs and to maintain the district's measures of quality," said George Keyser, advisory council chairman.
In 1992, residents passed a 7.5-mill levy that was expected to last for five years, but the district stretched it out to six. District Treasurer Larry McDonough said the district would need a 5- to 6-mill increase to meet projected expenses. The money generated by the levy is expected to last about five years.
A 5-mill increase would generate about $7.9 million and cost the the owner of a home valued at $100,000 about $153 in new taxes. If the board opts for the 6-mill increase, generating about $9.4 million, that same homeowner would pay $183 a year in new taxes, Mr. McDonough said.
"Six mills generates more revenue, but we are trying to be as economical as we can," he said.
Superintendent Dennis Peterson requested an independent assessment be made of the district's budget projection to confirm the need for a tax levy.
"With the lead time needed to activate a levy campaign, ballot-box the issue and start collecting the tax, you must act now," Mr. Keyser said. "I'm here to say we must get on with it."
The move has the backing of a core group of constituencies including parents who want to see the district maintain a high quality of education. "As I see it, (the levy) is a necessity," said Lynn Louderback, mother of three children in the district and parent representative of Citizens for Princeton Now.
"The most important thing is to keep the good teachers we have, continue to attract more good teachers and keep the programs in place," Mrs. Louderback said.
Such support among residents doesn't come as a total shock to school officials.
"There's a lot of dedicated Princeton parents who recognize the need. We have talked about the need for a levy since January 1996. A lot of people were aware of it coming. We're thankful a lot of people came out in favor of it."
