The 4.96-mill levy would help preserve a high quality education for Greenon students.

The Greenon Local School District Board of Education approved unanimously Thursday, Jan. 9, the final resolution to put an operating levy on the May 6, 2014 ballot.

If approved, the levy would generate $1.265 million a year for the operations of the school district. The 4.96-mill, five-year levy would cost $14.47 a month, or $173.60 a year, for the owner of a $100,000 home.

“District voters will be asked in May to consider the future of our district with this very important levy request,” said Board President Dennis Henry. “Approval of this issue will allow the district to continue to provide programs like all-day kindergarten and STEM courses to prepare our students for 21st Century jobs and preserve Greenon’s tradition of excellence.”

Over the last several years, the district has taken steps to reduce spending in the district, which allowed the board to keep the levy at fewer than five mills. Those budget cuts include healthcare concessions from employees, pay freezes for staff, partnering with other districts to share services, eliminating positions through attrition and consolidating the district.

Since June 2013, Greenon officials implemented $330,000 in budget cuts and moved forward with a consolidation plan that will save $275,000 a year beginning in the 2014-15 school year.

“Even with the savings from consolidation and the budget cuts our district has made, we project a deficit at the beginning of the 2015-16 school year,” said Treasurer Brad McKee. “Our district is not projected to receive any additional state funding but state reimbursements are expected to continue to decrease as they have since 2010. This levy is vital to maintaining the quality education Greenon provides and preventing fiscal emergency and state oversight.”

Two state revenue sources have decreased by $700,000 over the last five years. Without the levy, the district would face fiscal emergency and state oversight.

While implementing budget cuts, Greenon was able to add additional programs to better prepare students for a successful future and was one of only eight districts in the state to earn an A in value-added for all four subgroups of students, demonstrating that the district is making significant progress with all students.

“We hope that our voters will support this levy to continue Greenon’s legacy of excellence in education,” said Superintendent Dan Bennett. “This is a critical time for our district and the results of this levy will have a major impact on our district’s future.”