By Jennifer Mrozowski
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Mike McCarthy put a sign in the front yard of his Walnut Hills home, but that was the extent of his support for the Cincinnati Public Schools bond issue last year. This time, things are different.

The father of three children at Fairview Elementary is co-chair of the campaign's speakers' bureau. He has helped arrange presentations about the decadelong school construction project at more than 40 community council meetings, and he's sounding off about his support every chance he gets.

"I have a daughter entering kindergarten next year who will be in the Class of 2016," McCarthy said. "This project is mine."

ABOUT THE BOND ISSUE

• What: 4.61-mill 28-year bond issue to raise $480 million • When: May 6 • Why: To help build 35 new schools and renovate 31 others over the next 10 years (total cost: $985 million). • Cost to Cincinnati homeowner: An additional $135 annually on a home valued at $100,000.

In a behind-the-scenes but revved-up campaign, organizers have been using parents like McCarthy to show support at business luncheons, civic group meetings and even church pulpits as part of a grass-roots effort to reach the public.

After a razor-thin defeat of a $480 million bond issue in November, organizers say they don't want to be complacent in the days leading up to the May 6 vote.

That means more bond issue presentations, a stepped-up voter registration drive, increased mailings, a better-coordinated "ride to the polls" effort, and greater involvement from students, teachers, parents, board members and church leaders.

"We didn't do anything wrong the last time," said Donald Spencer of Avondale, one of nine campaign co-chairs. "We just didn't do enough of it."

This is the only issue on the ballot in Cincinnati, forcing campaign volunteers to work harder to get supporters to the polls.

In November, campaigners felt confident that voters understood the message that students and teachers need better, more modern learning environments.

The schools, 61 years old on average, are among the oldest in the state and have conditions among the worst in the nation.

State officials last year said the majority of the buildings are not equipped for modern technology and should be replaced. That led the district to establish the nearly $1 billion facilities master plan to build 35 new schools and renovate 31 more over the next decade.

The issue lost by 611 votes out of more than 90,000 ballots cast.

Getting everyone involved

This time, the campaign hopes to convince voters that new and renovated schools will benefit not only school children, but neighborhoods throughout Cincinnati.

This month, the campaign mailed brochures to about 100,000 households of regular voters.

Organizers say the refurbished schools will provide on-site services for families and neighborhoods and support community use and after-school programs.

"These are not just going to be schoolhouses open six hours a day," McCarthy said. "The intention is to try to find different ways to use the buildings six days a week, 12 hours a day, 12 months out of the year."

Bill Dobson, campaign manager, points out that the state will contribute $210 million if voters approve a local share for the project. In addition, interest rates of less than 5 percent for the 28-year-bond issue are the lowest they've been in 40 years.

To spread the word, the campaign enlisted help from many sectors by appointing nine co-chairs. Organizations represented include Cincinnati Parents for Public Schools and the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati. Mayor Charlie Luken also serves as a co-chair.

The campaign this year encouraged organizations to go beyond just endorsing the bond issue.

The Urban League, with the help of the NAACP, the Amos Project and Baptist Ministers Conference of Cincinnati, is arranging a free service to pick up would-be voters.

In November, the ride to the polls was organized just two days before the vote. This time, a hotline (531-2318)already is running.

The school district also organized a voter registration campaign and registered more than 2,000 people - including its first-ever high school voter registration effort.

Superintendent Alton Frailey, who wasn't yet on the job during the last vote, is another new factor.

He mentions the bond issue at every chance he gets during business luncheons. "Who can look in the eyes of a child and say we value you and then send them into buildings we know need to be renovated or replaced?" he said.

Opponents also at work

While opposition has been quiet, some groups have begun organizing.

A group of about 15 Cincinnati high school students, which calls itself Student Alliance Against Issue 3, is making calls to students and families listed in student directories to voice opposition.

Derrick Blassingame of Avondale, a 16-year-old junior at the Virtual High School, said the district should concentrate on more than just building "fancy schools."

"I want to bring more attention to the (state) report card and academic achievement," he said.

The campaign has been touting academic achievement gains, but Blassingame said the progress hasn't been enough. The district's rating from the state actually slipped this year from "academic watch" to "academic emergency."

The Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes also is running an opposition campaign by passing out literature, distributing yard signs, presenting to community councils and talking to the media.

"We're never able to get the big bucks the school board can get," said Jim Urling, chairman of the anti-tax group.

He said his group's message is the same as last year: "They should implement phase one (of the four-phase project) and demonstrate to the community they can be trusted with the money. And start educating kids, for crying out loud."

Phase 1, which includes building 15 schools and renovating two, began this year and will cost an estimated $278 million.The district has about $295 million in revenue to devote to the reconstruction project, and some groups want the district to use that money before returning to voters.

But Frailey said now is the best time to try for the bond issue.

"Folks aren't saying the schools don't need attention," Frailey said. "This has to be done - period. Doing it now will secure the $210 million from the state. Delaying it and doing it segment by segment will put that money at risk."

Board President Sally Warner said she's confident the issue will pass, but board members have discussed what to do if it fails.

"This board is committed to making this happen no matter what, so we will continue attempts to pass it," she said. "We can't just take all the money and say, 'Let's just paint the buildings.' We must bring the buildings to state standards."

E-mail jmrozowski@enquirer.com