Back-up plan, if Perrysburg Schools levy fails, to be discussed this month

Perrysburg Schools Superintendent Thomas Hosler THE BLADE Enlarge | Buy This Photo

Perrysburg Schools Superintendent Thomas Hosler said today he plans to bring forth his recommendations this month for an emergency backup plan if the Nov. 6 levy fails.

School officials and board members talked about the levy — and what it means if voters reject it — during an early morning work session today.

Mr. Hosler said more details on where the district would cut if it lost about 20 percent of its operating budget will be discussed during the next school board meeting or a finance committee meeting.

The district, which has a $1 million rainy-day fund, would run a projected $5.64 million deficit after the 2013-2014 school year, according to the district.

“This isn’t a scare tactic,” Mr. Hosler said to the group during the meeting. “We owe it to the community to say, ‘This is what it’s going to look like.’ It’s not a threat.”

In discussions this summer, officials discussed closing an elementary school, programing cuts and laying off staff as possible options without making specific plans.

However, giving pink slips to staff seemed inevitable, school officials alluded today.

“We’re a people-business,” district Treasurer Matt Feasel said, noting about 80 percent of the district’s roughly $40 million operating budget is spent on personnel.

The challenge, if the levy fails, would be making cuts when the district loses funding.

Logistically, school officials could potentially cut classes, close a building or make other cuts right in the middle of the school year.

“It’d be incredibly disruptive to make the kind of changes we’d need to make,” Mr. Hosler said.

The district is asking for voter approval Nov. 6 of an estimated 13.15 mills that would generate $10 million in the first year. The tax would increase to 14.4 mills in the second year, to 15.7 mills in the third year, and to 17 mills in the final fourth year.

The owner of a $200,000 house pays $609 annually, or 9.95 mills, for a levy that is generating $7.57 million annually and is to expire at the end of this year. The new levy would increase taxes about $313 a year for the owner of a $200,000 house.

The district’s projected annual operating budget for this school year is $39,037,629.

A levy campaign committee is expected to kick off at the annual Harrison Rally Day on Sept. 15.

Contact Gabrielle Russon at: grusson@theblade.com or 419-351-0361 or on Twitter @GabrielleRusson.