Old Fort schools to put income tax before voters

8/11/2004

OLD FORT, Ohio - The Old Fort school board has voted to place a five-year, 1 percent income tax on the Nov. 2 ballot.

The operating measure, endorsed by the board Monday, would raise about $300,000 a year for the Seneca County district, which cut $458,000 from its budget in May to avoid a deficit in 2004-05. As part of those reductions, the district laid off some employees and began a pay-to-play system for extracurricular activities.

Last month, the district declared an impasse in contract talks with unionized teachers and imposed a 7 percent pay cut on all school employees. Monday, the board said that pay cuts made it possible to reinstate three laid-off teachers.