Lend Your Support To Ohio County Schools
Ohio County voters have proven to be reliable supporters of public education for decades. In return, they ask only that they be able to rely on education officials to use taxpayers’ money as wisely as possible to accomplish the greatest good possible for our children.
On May 14, that faith will be sought once again, as Ohio County Schools is seeking renewal of a five-year operating levy “for the purpose of maintaining and improving the instructional programs and the operation of school services.” We endorse passage of this levy, and ask that you vote “For the Levy” when casting your ballot.
This will be perhaps the most important decision voters make on May 14 when it comes to our children. For as long as most people can remember, Ohio County voters have renewed the levy every five years, by large margins. There is no reason for that not to happen again this time around.
Renewal of the levy will not increase taxes. Period.
Failure to renew it would deprive schools — children, really — of $23 million a year. That is about 25% of total public school spending in Ohio County.
How is that money spent? Most of it — $16.7 million — goes to help pay salaries and benefits for teachers and staff. This is funding above the state formula to ensure the teachers in our schools are of the highest caliber.
Another $4.5 million goes to maintenance and operation of the system.
Here is how the remainder will be allocated:
– Instructional materials, equipment and services — $900,000.
– Support agencies –$100,000.
– Transportation — $500,000.
– School Safety — $250,000.
There’s no reason not to support this levy — as noted earlier, it will not raise your taxes. And let’s be clear: Ohio County Schools does a very good job in educating children. The work being done each day through the school system is setting youngsters up for success. That’s something we all need to support.
Renewal of the levy is vital to offering our children the best public education we can afford. We think voters today, like those in the past, agree that is a good use of our hard-earned money.
Strong communities such as ours support their public schools. There’s no reason for that to change.
Early voting begins Wednesday. If you’re an Ohio County resident, do your part to support your local public schools by voting “For the Levy.”