Athens Hopes to Pass School Levy

This year, elections bring not only candidates to the forefront of attention. One of the issues for the citizens of Athens revolves around a levy the Athens City School District hopes to pass to help afford operating costs.The $7,180,000 levy is on the upcoming ballot and, if passed, would institute a $500,000 increase on the current levy. The majority votes for the levy would provide $3,700,000 to the city schools in comparison to the previous $3,200,000.The levy, last renewed in 2008, would make up 13 percent of the districts’ operating budget. This is meant to offset the $1,800,000 a year that the school is losing in state funds. Even with the increase, the levy will actually slightly decrease the amount a homeowner pays a month to $18.85.Many local citizens and people within the school system feel this levy is quite necessary to keep up with operating costs as a result of losing state money.The Superintendent and Treasurer of Athens City Schools both remain optimistic about the likelihood of the levy passing.Superintendent Carl Martin is adamant about the dedicated and caring nature of the Athens community when it came to its schools.“Our community is very supportive of education, they take it seriously,” said Martin.Besides the possibility of losing funding for necessities like utility bills, staff, building budgets, insurance, and materials, the school system risks  the chance of losing certain AP classes and other special opportunities provided to students within the system.Martin emphasized the importance of passing the levy.“68 percent of our students take college entrance exams,” said Martin. “So we have to maintain a high level curriculum and course offerings.”Martin also discussed the possibility of the levy not passing and the implications towards the aforementioned classes.“We have not particularly cut our curriculum, we do not want to do it. Further reductions would impact our educational offerings,” said Martin.Treasurer Matt Bunting noted that, while having a very positive outlook on the likelihood of the levy passing:“We certainly do not want to see those (classes and other student opportunities) gone,” said Bunting.Neither man was much interested in discussing the implications that the levy failing could mean, but Martin said he had to be realistic about what the district might have to cut in spending in case of failure.If the levy fails on Nov 6, it will be up for vote again come spring of 2013, and would be the last chance to renew the current levy.More information on the upcoming levy can be found at http://athenscity.k12.oh.us/District_News/I06FC40F0.0/2012%20Athens%20City%20Schools%20Levy.pdf