Vote YESUphold Excellence

August 7, 2012

Why do the Schools Need an Emergency levy?A reduction in State funding has forced the Tipp City Schools to cut 1.3 million dollars out of the budget for the 2011-2012 school year.

Approximately $1 million will be cut for the 2012-2013 school year.

The Board of Education is giving Tipp City / Monroe Township residents an opportunity to decide if they want the District to make additional cuts in staffing and programs or to keep the level of staffing that we need to work towards our Excellent rating.

This is the first time in three years that the board has asked the Tipp City School voters for NEW money.

School Board Placed A Levy on the Ballot

On April 27th, the Tipp City Board of Education approved a five year, 7.95 mills Emergency tax levy to be placed on the ballot at the August 7, 2012 special election.

The Ballot Language

Shall a levy be imposed by the Tipp City Exempted Village School District, Miami County, Ohio for the purpose of providing for the emergency requirements of the Tipp City Exempted Village School District in the sum of $3,079,646.00 and a levy of taxes to be made outside of the ten-mill limitation estimated by the county auditor to average 7.95 mills for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to $0.795 for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for a period of five years, commencing in 2012, first due in calendar year 2013?

________ FOR THE TAX LEVY ________ AGAINST THE TAX LEVY

The Cost

For a $100,000 Home = 67 cents a day= $4.67 a week= $20.25 a month= $243 a year

What does the 2012 Emergency Tax Levy mean to our schools?

Provides funds for the day-to-day operations of the District’s educational programs. Bridges the difference between the funding provided by the

Federal and State government and the cost of meeting the educational needs of our students.

The levy is a key component to our success.

It enables the District to pay for; teaching staff instructional programs, athletics, clubs, security and transportation.

Why do our schools need local tax support? State and federal funds provide only a portion of most school districts’

operating budget in this state.

Local levy funds allows the District to meet the needs of our students and provide what the community expects in the way of education.

Tipp City Schools spends $9446.57 per pupil . *

The Tipp City School District is providing an excellent product all the while being a low burden to both the state AND Tipp residents!

*Data provided by FY2011 District Profile Report (also known as the Cupp Report) found on the ODE website.

The school district is a good steward of the public’s money!

The earlier levies have lasted their forecasted duration (3 years).

The District ranks fifth (5) out of nine (9) in Miami County schools spent on teaching and teaching support.* ($9446.57 per pupil)

The District has one of the lowest administrative costs in the county. Our costs are the third (3) lowest in the county behind Piqua and Troy.* ($1138.26 per pupil)

Tipp City’s Average Income is $58,365. The highest in Miami County.*

*Data provided by FY2011 District Profile Report (also known as the Cupp Report) found on the ODE website.

Open Enrollment: A Positive Financial Impact

Open Enrollment is a source of revenue for the District. A few years ago when Tipp City School’s began to experience declining enrollment, the District decided to offer Open Enrollment to contiguous school districts, so cuts wouldn’t have to be made. Tipp City Schools’ have had great success with Open Enrollment and it has impacted us in a positive way. Last year, the District had a total of 113 students that Open Enrolled which generates almost $5700 per student. The Open Enrollment numbers are calculated each year based on grade levels and number of teachers in each grade. The District does have students that Open Enroll at other schools--the NET gain from Open Enrollment is $386,211.

Doesn’t the State provide enough money for basic education?

State and Federal dollars do not fully fund many of the programs, staff and supplies needed to adequately educate our students and keep them safe.

The District receives: 45.32 % from State funds.* 49.50 % from Local funds.* 5.18 % from Federal Funds.*

The Tipp City School District uses our funding to support these programs; Teachers Advanced Placement Courses Adequate class sizes Special Needs Students Extracurricular activities

Once approved the total levy amounts can’t be increased.

School Districts ask for a set dollar amount in a levy proposal, unlike other taxing agencies that ask for a rate.

*Data provided by FY2011 District Profile Report (also known as the Cupp Report) found on the ODE website.

What Has the District Done To Balance the Shrinking Budget?

To balance the budget the District began making cuts to plug the 2011-2012 school year State funding decrease of $1,311,196.00 hole with the following:

Reduced Staff with attrition: 16 teachers retired

7 positions were absorbed 9 positions were replaced at a lower rate.

Implemented a total wage freeze for all Tipp City School Employees: All Administrators, including the Superintendent Teachers – did not receive their upgrade step increase and did not get their educational

upgrade increase for receiving their Masters. Classified Staff

Increased the employee share of health insurance for single coverage Brings those with single coverage in line with the family plans.

The District implemented Participation Fees for extra-curricular activities. Generated a little over $100,000 in revenue

Fields trips were limited. Many were funded by grant sources.

Professional Development outside of the district has been limited. Most have been paid thru grant sources including RttT.

Other Operation Cost Cuts Timers were placed on the lights in the student parking lot at the High School – they come on at dark and turn off at sunrise. $1800 savings annually

The High School hallways were de-lamped. De-lamping is when one bulb per set of lights is removed. $2000 savings annually

Eliminated two 6 Yd. dumpsters in the District. $1800 savings annually

Set points have been set to 68 degrees in the winter and 74 degrees in the summer in each of the six buildings . $29,000 savings annually

Switched life insurance providers while keeping the same coverage the District . $8500 savings annually

Tipp City Schools is required to provide safety training to all employees. The District changed to a new provider. $3000 savings annually

The District switched phone providers from Verizon to Cincinnati Bell . $18,000 savings annually

A tech support contract with an outside company was eliminated . $15,000 savings annually

New more energy efficient and brighter lights were installed in the middle school gym. $3000 savings annually

Tipp City Schools will be working with $3,487,392 fewer dollars in FY2013 than in FY2011.

The District has a 3-fold plan to balance the budget:

Cut more from the budget (cuts shown on the next slide)

Deliver services more efficiently and implement other cost recovery initiatives

PLUS

Request passage of an Emergency Operating Levy

Second Round of Cuts To prepare for the State funding cuts coming for the school year 2012 - 2013:

1. Redistricting – K-1 will be at Nevin Coppock and grades 2 – 3 will go to Broadway. This is a permanent reconfiguration.

Saving over $207,000 annually.2. Reduction in Elementary Related Arts Staff – All students will receive instruction in Art,

Music and PE. Teachers will travel between LT, BW, NC and High School to cover the loss of the three positions.

Saving $242,633 annually.3. Cafeteria Asst. Cooks – The District will be reducing each cook’s hours by one hour each

day on these six positions. Saving $16,416 annually.

4. THS Science Teacher will go from full time to a part time position. Saving $18,422

5. Payroll Manager duties will be absorbed by the treasurer and the finance office staff. $56,751.46 (includes benefits)

6. The Assistant Superintendent’s assistant will be reduced to half time. $18,461.50 (includes benefits)

7. Staff Health Insurance. Saving $25,000 annually (if the levy passes)

Added Cuts That Will Occur if The Levy Does NOT Pass:Staff Cuts:

1. 2nd Grade Teacher -$54,448.11(includes benefits)IMPACT - 2nd Grade Class sizes will go up from 20.6 to 23.3 to a class.

2. High School O.W. E. Teacher - $67,988 (includes benefits)IMPACT – Potential to reduce graduation rate

3. High School Guidance Counselor - $91,951.94 (includes benefits)IMPACT – No individual senior conferences and less personalized student

services4. High School Media Specialist - $83,556. (includes benefits)

IMPACT – Media Center access will be curtailed to class hours only5. Custodian - $33,671 (includes benefits)

IMPACT – Traveling custodian – reduces facility/building cleaning6. ½ Communications Coordinator - $27,131 (includes benefits)

IMPACT – Less Quick News, Website, Facebook updates and District representation in the community.

7. Six Varsity Assistant Coaches - $15,000 IMPACT - Reduction in expertise and supervision coverage for Varsity

sports

Added Cuts That Will Happen if The Levy Does NOT Pass continued….

Programs Cuts:1. Field Trips – $10,000

IMPACT – Field trips allow children to observe how abstractions taught in school come alive in the real world.

2. Professional Development – $10,000 IMPACT – Professional Development keeps teachers current with new technologies

and teaching methods.

Costs Recovery:3. Pay to Participate –

INCREASE 50% IMPACT – High School programs will go from $100 to $150 per activity.Generate an extra $50,000.

Operational Cuts:4. Busing will go to 1.5 mile walk zone (w/sidewalks) - $30,000

IMPACT – map on the next slide2. Health Insurance Changes - $75,000

IMPACT – co-pay adjustments for the staff

Neighboring Districts: The reduction in state funding to public education is causing most other local districts to ask for additional operating money.

Vandalia-Butler Local School District is asking for 6.99 mills additional - August 2012 The levy will collect $3.9 million.Vandalia will be cutting 22 positions. Cuts will still be required even with passage of the levy.

Huber Heights City Schools is planning an additional levy request in November 2012 and will be asking for 8 mills to generate $6 million dollars. Miami East passed a replacement of 1.75% earned income tax levy in November 2011 generating $2.55 million dollars annually.

Tecumseh Local School District plans to ask for additional funding in November 2012 TBD by the board in summer 2012.

Bethel Local Schools is asking for a 2 mill renewal (for permanent improvements) 7 mill replacement (for operating expenses) will generate an additional $270,000.

Northmont City Schools is asking for a 5.9 mill renewal of a 5-year operating levy.

What you should know about Tipp City Schools. Tipp City Schools serve 2614 students.

Our students continue to excel academically as measured on the Ohio Report Card.

We have earned an “EXCELLENT” rating on the State Report card eight years out of ten and six consecutive years, and we consider that a requirement in our stable and supportive community.

100% of Tipp City School teachers are certified in their teaching area.

17 TMS & THS students competed in the Ohio Academy of Science West District Science Day held at Central State University, 13 received superior ratings at the District Science Fair and 10 were selected to proceed to the State Science Day held at The Ohio State University in Columbus.

Our athletes took 10 out of 21 CBC Titles.

The High School band and choir earned Superior ratings at the State Contest.

The Drama department continues to produce outstanding performances year in and year out.

88% of our graduating classes continue their education at four-year or two-year colleges, universities or technical schools.

Tipp City graduates consistently earn more than $2 million dollars annually in scholarships to public and private colleges and universities in Ohio and across the nation.

Historically Tipp City residents have supported the schools by voting for Emergency levies.

Strong Schools Fuel a Strong Community

The City Government website www.tippcityohio.gov states this about our community: Tipp City is proud of its strong sense of community, its extensive parks & recreational facilities (with direct access to the Great Miami River Bikeway), and its great school system, which is rated "Excellent" by the State of Ohio.

www.TippCityOhio.com ‘s News page is allotted to all Tipp City School news.

The Tipp City Chamber states on the front page of their website www.tippcitychamber.org/ Live, Work, Play - Known throughout the state for its excellent school system, beautiful parks and neighborhoods, historic business district and small town charm, Tipp City, Ohio is a wonderful place work, play and raise a family.

For Additional Levy Information:

Go to: www.tippcityschools.comor

www.tippschoollevy.comor

www.facebook.com/tippcityschoolsor

www.facebook.com/tippcityschools#!/voteyestippschoolsor

Call Dr. John Kronour, Superintendent or

Joe Smith, Treasurer at 937-667-8444