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DEAR EDITOR:
The LaBrae schools is seeking to pass a 3.0-mill permanent improvement replacement levy in the Nov. 7 election. As Board President, a lifelong community member, and a graduate, I am asking our voters to vote 'yes' on this issue. Voters should recall that permanent improvement funds can only be used for furnishing, maintaining, equipping and improving our school facilities. No money can be used for any salaries or benefits.
Since it was originally passed in 1984, the effective millage has been reduced to 1.55 mills, per Ohio law. We just began our 19th year in the new complex, and Bascom Elementary is a wonderful building, but it is 70 years old. As our buildings continue to age, the cost of maintaining, equipping and improving our facilities continues to increase, similar to the increasing costs we have maintaining and improving our own homes.
Our community has voted yes on the permanent improvement levy every time it has come up for the last 39 years. That is a testament to how much our community cares about the welfare of our students and the quality of our facilities. If the replacement levy passes, it restores the permanent improvement levy to the original three mills, and collection begins in March of 2025, after the bond debt is paid off in 2024.
We rarely come to voters seeking additional funds. We last asked for additional operating revenue in 1991, and we have managed our current P.I. funds judiciously for 39 years. This is evidence of our good fiscal management and "living" within our means. We are asking LaBrae voters to continue to show their faith and trust in our schools by voting for this levy so that we can continue to maintain excellence in our facilities, providing our students with a safe and quality learning environment.
Successful passage of the replacement P.I. levy positions the district for the next 40 years to maintain our excellent facilities, as well as provide the funds to address future projects such as the Bascom roof, complex HVAC upgrades and the bus garage, to name a few.
Strong schools exist in strong communities. I feel this is the case in the LaBrae community. As property owners, we maintain our property values when we maintain the quality of our schools. Your yes vote is vital to achieve this goal.
RUSTY SEWELL
LaBrae board president