Residents in Rossford Schools boundaries voted to approve a 5.9-mill operating levy in 2015. It collects $2.14 million annually which pays for staff personnel and student programming. Since the levy’s approval Rossford Schools has been able to add school resource officers at both schools, STEM teachers/programming, a part-time social worker, more expanded counseling resources, and other programs to meet students’ needs and interests.
This renewal would keep taxes the same, it includes NO new
money.
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions regarding this
levy:
What about the money
the district is receiving from businesses coming to town?
We are thrilled by the growth and anticipated future growth to the City of Rossford and Perrysburg Township. It has been procedure for Rossford Schools to use these assets to help fund technology upgrades, transportation fleet replacements, and unexpected maintenance needs. Funds from these agreements do not go into the general fund because we’re not willing to risk staff salaries and student programming with something that is not guaranteed. Sadly, sometimes businesses leave town and haven’t fulfilled their agreements. We want to protect our staff by using funds that have a greater degree of stability.
Why do we have
another vote, I thought we just built the new schools?
An operating levy is different than a bond levy. The bond levy approved in 2016 funded our new buildings. According to Ohio Revised Code levies are built in three categories. Operating levies fund salaries, while bonds cover the bricks and mortar. We are grateful for the bond investment in our children’s future. This operating levy, which was originally approved prior to the bond, funds what happens inside the new buildings. It pays for staffing and student programming. That includes bus drivers, teachers, aids, secretaries, and cleaners which all play an essential part of the educational process.
What will change if Rossford Schools doesn’t renew the levy?
No decisions have been
made, but the board and district leadership will have to see how to move
forward without $2.14 million. The district is in a financially healthy
position, and it became that way by tightening the belt and being fiscally
responsible. Rossford Schools will remain fiscally responsible, but would have
to consider the impact of losing $2.14 million a year for five years, which is
significant.
Doesn’t Rossford Schools have enough money?
Rossford Schools is
financially healthy. The district has only asked for new operating money three times in 28 years. This has been the case
because the district has stretched dollars out. But with state funding looking fickle
(Rossford Schools receives 25% of its funding from the state, but the state
average for districts is 44%) we must remain fiscally responsible. Through renewals
and fiscal responsibility, the district looks to continue this responsible approach.
What new programming
is available in Rossford Schools?
Since the levy was
approved in 2015 Rossford Schools has grown its student programming. STEM is
now offered to students K-12. Two School Resources Officers were added to the
district. On top of providing safety and security for our students and staff
they have programming with our students teaching them health and safety
lessons. We have a new reading programing, PBIS We R Bulldogs and other
educational opportunities.
New opportunities were
just offered to our junior-senior high students including Language & World
Cultures, Introduction to Theater, Entrepreneurship, Video Game Design, Podcasting
101, Nutrition, and 21st Century Literacy. Based on interest and
response to the student survey, the district will add these courses.
Didn’t my school taxes decrease?
Yes, according to the Wood County Auditor’s Office the 4.4-mill bond levy to build our schools approved in 2016 has actually been reduced and only collects 3.45-mills annually. That saves the owner of a $100,000 house $33.25 annually. So your Rossford Schools taxes have been reduced.