Emotional 3rd Annual Veterans’ Day Assembly By: Christy Weaver, Bugle Editor SERVING THE WOODRIDGE LOCAL SCHOOLS COMMUNITY Budgets Reduced 2 8th Grade Orientation 2 Substitute Bus Drivers Needed 2 2nd Grade Bloggers 2 Korean War Vets Share Memories 2 Foundation and Alumni Office 2 WPS Students of the Month 3 The Mitten Inspires Kindergarten Class 3 Snow Club Sliding Toward Spring 3 2012 Positive Parenting Series 3 Mock Caldecott Awards at WIS 3 Mark Your Calendar 3 Annual Jazz Dinner 4 Clubs at WIS 4 Athletic Hall of Fame 4 3 Represent Woodridge in County Spelling Bee 4 WMS Students of the Month 4 Inside this issue: The Bugle The Bugle JANUARY 2012 Woodridge Local Schools Facing Financial Crisis By: Deanna Levenger, Treasurer The Woodridge Local School District is fast approaching a financial dilemma. The district’s fiscal year expenditures began exceeding its fiscal year revenues in the 2009-2010 school year. School district expenditures are projected to exceed revenues by $1,716,000 in the 2011-2012 school year and $2,331,458 in the 2012-2013 school year. The district has been using its carryover cash balance to make up the difference between revenues and expenditures. In addition, the district implemented $1,400,000 in permanent budget reductions beginning the 2011-2012 school year and will implement approximately an additional $375,000 in permanent budget reductions at the beginning 2012-2013 school year. The total reductions equal 9.5% of the total budget. The Board of Education voted to place a new $3,000,000, 6.83 mill Emergency Levy on the March 6, 2012 ballot. The new levy will cost the owner of a house valued at $100,000, by the Summit County Fiscal Office, $209.17 per year, $4.02 per week or .57 cents per day. Levy Campaign Underway By: Walter Davis, Superintendent The last time the district received additional revenue from the passage of a new levy was March 2004. At that time they promised they would not be back to the voters for new money for at least five (5) years. That levy has lasted eight (8) years. The district’s carryover cash balance will be depleted by the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year. The district has strived to control costs while continuing to provide a quality education for the children of the Woodridge Local School District. This spring’s $3,000,000, 6.83 mill five year emergency levy is crucial to the financial stability of the Woodridge Local School District. Visit the Woodridge Local School District web page at www.woodridge.k12.oh.us for additional financial information. For additional information on the March 6, 2012 new 6.83 five-year emergency levy visit www.supportwoodridge.com. This chart illustrates the district’s projected cash balance over the next four fiscal years with passage of the 6.83 mill emergency levy. As you can see from the extensive report from our district Treasurer, the narrow defeat of Issue 21 last November will have a devastating impact on the district’s ability to meet its obligations in the future. In response, our Board of Education has placed a new levy on the March 6, 2012 ballot. Issue 10 is a five year emergency levy that will raise $3,000,000 annually. Funds from this levy, coupled with ongoing spending restraint and an additional round of budget reductions will enable the district to meet its financial obligations for the next four years. Did you know that the last NEW money levy passed in the district was a levy in 2004? It has been eight years since the Woodridge Local School District has received additional funds. Clearly, the district has done a great job of stretching its dollars and being frugal. In structuring this new levy campaign, four well known community members have stepped forward to offer leadership. Our levy co-chairs are Joe Charles, Rick Sabo, Jennifer Syx, and Frank Nikic. Working together, each of our co-chairs has accepted responsibility for specific aspects of the campaign with teams of workers assisting them behind the scenes. Joe Charles and his team are busy building a digital media campaign. Using email, Facebook, Twitter, and other digital media, this sub-committee is hoping to spread the facts sharing news and updates related to the school district and the levy campaign. Rick Sabo and his team are busy with communications including newspaper ads, signs, post cards, and other print media. In the next few weeks, community members will begin to see evidence of their work as signs begin to sprout in yards across the community. Mailers and letters to the editor will spread the word as we seek to share information to enable the voters to make an informed decision on election day. Jennifer Syx and her team are busy with community outreach. Seeking endorsements and support, they are scheduling meetings with local organizations, leaders, and officials in an effort to garner support for this critical campaign. Frank Nikic and his team are busy with fundraising. As no district funds are used for levy campaign costs, Frank is working with his sub-committee to raise funds to pay the bills of the levy committee. They are seeking donations from local businesses, community members, and organizations. Events are being planned to raise funds as well. Find more information about this levy campaign on the Levy Committee website. Go to supportwoodridge.com to learn more. The website includes an interactive calculator that enables residents to calculate the cost of the levy based on the value of their property. Events are listed and information is posted regularly. Check it out! Did you know that the last NEW money levy passed in the district was a levy in 2004?
