We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the solar eclipse that will be occurring on Monday, August 21, between 1:00 and 4:00 PM. While we anticipate a spectacular view from our location, there are many precautions that should be followed during that time. As this will be happening during school hours, we would like everyone to know, and feel confident, that we are taking the necessary steps to keep all of our students and our staff safe. While we do have some activities planned, the majority of our school population will be inside and taking part in discussions, video-streaming, or other indoor activities related to the eclipse. If you have any concerns about the activity at any given building, please call that building. If you prefer to keep your child at home, or have them released early prior to the eclipse, please let your child’s building know that via a phone call or note. These absences will be considered excused. If you have any other questions, please contact either your building administrator or central office. Hope you enjoy this wonderful event and stay safe. A brief informational outline is provided below. Thank you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is our District on the ballot in the upcoming election?
• Renewal of emergency levy originally passed in May 2010 and renewed in November 2012
What exactly will be on the ballot?
Voters will be asked to approve:
• A Renewal Emergency Operating Levy which generated $6.775 million annually for operations. These dollars are needed to maintain current programs. This emergency levy will be in effect for five years.
• The November election is the first opportunity for the district to put the renewal on the ballot allowing for a seamless transition and collection of monies. This will allow for proper planning and budgeting.
• The district will begin collecting the monies from the renewal of this Emergency Operating Levy in January 2019, at which time the current Emergency Operating Levy expires.
How much is this levy going to cost taxpayers?
• The Emergency Operating Levy is a renewal of the existing Emergency Operating Levy passed in May 2010 and renewed in November 2012. This will generate the same dollar amount for the district.
Why is it called an emergency levy?
• This term is defined by the state as a property tax that serves as a limited operating levy proposed for a specific dollar amount.
Why does Miamisburg receive less money from the State than other districts?
• During the 2016-17 school year the State funding formula provided approximately 29% of the district’s overall revenues for operations. This formula contains many complex factors and calculations. In addition to the number of students being educated by the District, the Ohio Department of Education also takes into account the “wealth factor” of each individual district. This “wealth factor” is based upon overall property values as well as a variety of demographic information.
How have the recent state funding changes affected the district?
• We are not exactly sure how the most recent changes in the funding formula will affect the district as the recent budget legislation will not be fully implemented until September 30th. However, these changes include a reduction in the previous imposed funding caps from 7.5% to 3% which means that although our enrollment has increased we will not see the funding to sustain the increased enrollment. If the formula was fully funded (no caps/guarantees) the district would have received approximately $3 million more in funding.
How will the Emergency Operating Levy money be used?
• These funds will be used to maintain current programs by providing much needed operational funds for salaries, benefits, utilities, instructional materials/supplies, student academic programs, extra-curricular activities, etc.
Is this Emergency Levy needed because of Campus Quest?
• No. The district did not use any operating funds to build or maintain the Stadium project. All monies for this project were secured through financing and donations from the community and employees. A separate fund was established and all expenses and revenues flow through these accounts keeping them completely separate from the district’s operating budget. The district will continue this practice as promised.
Can the Emergency Operating Levy be used for building projects/improvements?
• No. Operating funds can only be used for day to day operation costs.
School districts essentially have three “pots” of money:
• Operating funds – Operating dollars are what is used to keep the district running, such as salaries, benefits, utilities, supplies and classroom materials and other district expenses.
• Permanent Improvement (PI) – PI dollars can only be used on items that have an expected life of five years or more, such as, furniture, textbooks, and buses.
• Bond Money – This money can be used only for the building projects and repayment of debt issued for the construction and renovation of our buildings. The district is very thankful for the community’s support on this issue.
My property values have recently increased. Will this increase the amounts I pay on the Renewal Emergency Operating Levy?
• No. Emergency Operating Levies, Substitute Emergency Operating Levies, Bond and Permanent Improvement levies are passed for a specific dollar amount. If property values increase the Montgomery County Auditor is required by statute to reduce the millage/mills collect to only collect the specific amount authorized by the voters.
• The district will only see an increase on inside mills of 4.22 which equates to approximately $236,000 annually and enables the district to offset any loss in state funding.
New rules and regulations impact the district's truancy policy. The State of Ohio has passed a new truancy law, Ohio HB 410. All Ohio schools are mandated to enforce Ohio HB 410 starting the 2017/18 school year. This letter is to inform you of the mandates that we are required to enforce beginning this year. Good attendance to school is a vital part of your child’s educational success. The Miamisburg Board of Education endeavors to reduce truancy through cooperation with parents, diligence in investigating the causes of absence and use of strict guidelines in regard to tardiness and unexcused absence. Click her for more information.
