Maumee schools start levy-support campaign

9/20/2011

Maumee City Schools officials and community members kicked off a political campaign Monday to ask voters to support a 4.9-mill operating levy request on the Nov. 8 ballot.

The campaign officially started Monday but will intensify beginning the first week in October with yard signs, door-to-door literature, mailings, and several community meetings, said Gregory Smith, Maumee Superintendent of Schools.

“We are going to do everything we can to get the word out,” Mr. Smith said.

The proposed tax is projected to generate $2.27 million annually, costing the owner of a $100,000 house about $150 a year.

Without it, school officials said, they could be forced to cut busing for students, increase sports fees, eliminate all-day kindergarten, or lay off up to 30 staff members because of significant losses in state funding and property tax revenues.

Maumee school voters rejected a 5.9-mill levy request by 115 votes in the May 3 election. When asked whether he expected another close election, Mr. Smith said, “I have absolutely no idea.”

The district plans to hold public forums to answer voters’ questions on Oct. 12 at the Maumee Senior Center, 2530 Detroit Ave., and Oct. 26 at the Maumee High School cafeteria.

Both forums are scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m.