Amid concern,TPS levy gets chamber's support

10/28/2010

Members of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce board voted to endorse Toledo Public Schools' 7.8-mill continuing levy request “with strong reservations,” according to the written endorsement released Wednesday.

The request would add about $199 to the tax bill on a home valued at $100,000.

The support is significant because the chamber came out against the district's May request for an income tax increase, which failed by nearly a 2-1 ratio. The chamber's position in May was unusual because the regionwide member organization of businesses never had commented on school ballot issues. The chamber said its members were persuaded by the recent decision of area business, education, and government leaders to form a panel to investigate school system reforms.

“... Some tough decisions still have to be made in order for the Toledo Public Schools to come to terms with the growing financial deficits being projected over the next five years,” the endorsement says. “… Up to this point, we do not believe a substantive plan has been developed.”