Archbold schools poised to resubmit levy request

5/19/2006

ARCHBOLD, Ohio - The Archbold Area Local School District board appears almost certain to seek approval of the same new operating levy that voters denied in May.

The board voted 5-0 last night to ask the Fulton County auditor to certify millage needed to raise $2.4 million a year. That is expected to be the same 9.78 mills, five-year request that appeared on the May 2 ballot.

The board is to meet again at 7 a.m. Monday in the high school library to vote on putting the request on the Aug. 8 ballot. That decision is expected to be unanimous as well. Board members said they were planning on a two-minute meeting on Monday.

The filing deadline with the board of elections is Thursday. The cost of the election, which would be paid by the school district, is expected to be $3,000 to $4,000, Superintendent Ken Cline said.

Board members talked last night about asking for a levy for a shorter period of time - five years is the maximum length for an emergency levy. However, they decided to stick with that, saying they needed that time to see how changes in the state personal property-tax system play out in the district.

The proposed levy would cost $300 for the owner of a $100,000 home.