After an eight-year hiatus, the Kings Local Board of Education is considering placing an operating levy request on the ballot next school year.

        Options include tax increase proposals ranging from 4.9 mills to 7.9 mills put before voters in either November 2001 or May 2002, said Kings schools treasurer Mike Mowery.

        Voters in the district last approved an operating levy in 1993, which included 4 new mills and a renewal of a 3.9-mill levy.

        The 5.9-mill proposal on a November ballot seems the best option, Mr. Mowery said, but the board doesn't have to decide until August.

        Superintendent Dave Query said: “In a long-range basis, it would probably be wiser to go for it earlier. This also allows us to be proactive in planning.”

        The district will be financially sound through the next school year, Mr. Mowery said. After June 30, 2003, the district could have a deficit, he said.

        Some of the need for an operating levy stems from growth.

        The district of 3,600 students is growing by about 50 students a year.

        Mr. Query said that means staff will have to be increased.

        School officials see a need to add about eight teachers next year, including two teachers for gifted students, special-education teachers, a teacher at South Lebanon Elementary and more, he said.

        Other expenses include cost increases in staff health insurance.

        The health insurance premiums for family plans shot up from $476 per month to $610 a month, Mr. Mowery said.

        The board pays 90 percent of the premium for most of the staff, he said.

        If board members opt for the 5.9-mill operating levy, homeowners of a house valued at $100,000 would pay about $181 per year in new property taxes.

        The levy would generate about $3.2 million per year.

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