That had to hurt

By Doug Page | Wednesday, February 7, 2007, 11:23 AM

I’ve seen a lot of levies defeated, but I’ve never seen one crushed 80 percent to 20 percent.

Milton-Union school officials were a bit bruised this morning (Feb. 7, 2007).

The school board will met tonight at 7:30 p.m. to discuss what to do next following the defeat.

The board has five options to handle the $2.5 million deficit projected for 2009/2010 school year:

1. Go back to the voters with the same millage reduction and replacement — a personal property tax increase. After being twice defeated by the voters, I wouldn’t bet on that.

2. Put a traditional income tax before the voters.

3. Go with an earned income tax. This seems to be popular with older voters because it shelters their pensions and investment income.

4. Cut $2.5 million from the budget. Because salaries and benefits make up $10.1 million of the district’s $12.7 million operating budget, that’s the only place you can make substantial cuts. Fewer teachers.

5. A combination of cuts and a smaller levy.

It doesn’t appear likely the board will be back on the ballot for the May election. The deadline for filing is Feb. 22. Best bet appears November.

School officials have a lot of convincing to do between now and then.

Or the voters could wait and hope a district graduate is drafted by the NFL and donates his signing bonus to the district.

Permalink | | Categories: West Milton