Field Local Schools State of the District
· Field maintains an “Effective Rating”.
· Field High School has been rated “Excellent” for the past 9 years.
· With a 96% graduation rate, we are 13% higher than the state average.
· Field expenditures per pupil are 26% less than the state average.
· Field expenditures per pupil are 13% less than our neighboring districts.
· Overall, Field Schools spending is in the bottom 5% of the entire state of Ohio.
Lost Revenue
· Tangible Personal Property tax was a tax on business inventory.
· This tax was abolished in 2004 and has resulted in a $1.2 million ANNUAL loss of revenue for Field.
· State budget cuts between 2011 and 2013 are approximately $807,943.
· The levy will only replace the lost revenue from these sources.
· The 2009 levy will expire in 2013 which currently raises $2,516,216 annually.
In March, our voters will be asked to consider a new continuous levy to help fund our schools.
ü 7 mil Operating levy
What will it cost me as a taxpayer?
|
Market home value
|
My cost per month
|
|
$100,000
|
$18.38
|
Ways our district helps to offset expenses
· Field charges rental for space when available.
· Current rental agreements are with The Falcon Academy of Creative Arts and the privately owned Our Country Preschool housed at Suffield.
· Field has an agreement with Portage County ESC which allows us to deduct expenditures by allowing preschool classes to be housed at our Middle School building.
· Pay freezes have been implemented for all Teachers, Support Staff, and Administration.
Going Green Saves Money
By engaging in a 264 House Bill Plan, the Field School system has benefitted in the following ways:
· New energy efficient lights in every building including the bus garage
· New boilers at the Middle School and Falcon Academy
· New energy efficient computers in every classroom
· Repairs to the heating unit vents in every classroom
· New energy efficient vending machine controls
· Upgrades to the environmental climate control system on the main campus
There has been NO COST to the taxpayers for the above upgrades. The money for these projects was generated by the savings in utility bills. The project was guaranteed with no risk to the School District.
With all of the money the district has saved with cuts, why are taxpayers being asked for more money?
· The District would like to REINSTATE busing for all Field k-12 students.
· The District would like to provide EVERY DAY art, music, library, and physical education for our elementary children.
· The District would like to reduce the “pay to participate” fees.
· The District wishes to retain our students and continue to offer a quality education.
· The District would like to prevent further cuts.
There are new homes being built all over Brimfield. Won’t that bring more revenue to the school?
· House Bill 920 prevents an increase in tax revenues to schools when property values rise.
· School revenue is frozen at the last dollar amount approved by voters; therefore when new homes are built more people share the cost of the total tax.
· The Legislature, with House Bill 920, has frozen school income on voted mills and has given schools no way to meet cost increases caused by inflation.
Why don’t Wal Mart, Lowes, Kohl’s, Applebee’s, and Marshalls bring in the money that the school needs to operate?
Field Local School District receives only PROPERTY TAXES from the Cascades of Brimfield shopping complex. The Cascades Plaza of Brimfield pays the full amount of the effective millage at the commercial/industrial rate (higher than residential). The Cascades complex is helping to relieve the residential tax payers’ burden by paying their fair share of the collected millage that is voted on by the residents.
· The sales taxes from Wal Mart, Lowes, Kohl’s, and Marshalls go to the State of Ohio, Portage County, and Parta. Sales taxes are not a source of income for the Field Local School District.
· The income taxes from the “JED” which is a Joint Economic Development, is an agreement between Brimfield and Tallmadge. Individuals that work inside the “JED” pay income taxes which go to Brimfield Township and Tallmadge. Suffield Township is not in the “JED” and does not receive any money to their township. Income taxes are not a source of revenue for the Field Local School District.
Accumulation of cuts and money saving measures during the past two years
Ø Teachers and Administrators now pay 20% of their insurance premiums
Ø Implemented state minimum busing
Ø Cut 14 bus drivers and 14 routes
Ø Replaced personnel with computerized calling system for substitute teachers
Ø Joined a legal fee consortium with 5 other Portage County Schools
Ø Restructured Administrative office to no longer have an Assistant to the Superintendent
Ø Combined the jobs of Transportation Supervisor and Director of Operations
Ø Cut the Facilities Supervisor position
Ø Eliminated custodial overtime
Ø Eliminated 4 part time custodians
Ø Cut all summer custodial help
Ø Replaced Payroll clerk with outsourced company
Ø Offered early retirement incentive
Ø Cut the Curriculum Director by one day per week
Ø Eliminated the Elementary Assistant Principal
Ø Not replacing (5) retired teachers, a librarian and a counselor
Ø Cut a music, art, and a physical education teacher at the elementary level
Ø Community members must pay a $30.00 an hour rental fee for use of any building
Ø Implemented pay to participate fees-$300.00 High School $100.00 Middle School
Ø Cut field trips
Ø $11,000 in fuel cost savings from September 2011-January 2012
Possible Further cuts with continued levy failures
Non replacement of the following:
Ø One Principal-retiring, replace with someone with fewer years of experience
Ø One Assistant Principal
Ø One High School Technology Teacher
Ø One Physical Education teacher
Ø One Gifted Teacher
Ø One Bus garage Secretary—cut the hours
Ø One Mechanic
Ø One High School Marketing teacher
Ø One Elementary Teacher-Retiring (do not replace)
Ø One Elementary Teacher-Retiring (Replace with a first year teacher)
Ø All Day Kindergarten
Ø All Middle School and Freshman sports
Strong Schools Build Strong Communities. We need to preserve our schools, preserve our community and preserve our home values.
Invest in future generations.
2/10/2012