Close race, no cigar for MP
By Dean Shipley
Staff Writer
Most voters in the Madison-Plains Local School District apparently do not share the vision of the school’s administration. It chose to run an apparently low-key campaign for its replacement levy and the results apparently speak for themselves. Voters rejected the replacement 2.5 mill levy 52.8 percent to 47.1 percent.
With the rejection, superintendent Bernie Hall said “we’ll have to go back to drawing board, rethink what we need to change what we need to do. We’ll ask the board to put it on again that’s all we can do.”
With the rejection of the 2.5 mill replacement levy—projected to bring in approximately $300,000—the current 1.25 mill levy will remain in place, at least until the issue goes on the ballot in 2013. The revenue it brings to the district is half of the replacement.
With the defeat, the district’s 10-year plan will be taken back a few months.
“We deal with it as best we can,” Hall said. “Some things we had planned will have to go on the back burner, things that will make it better for kids to be educated.”
To educate the residents, the district did not invest much, if anything in signage. Hall said the district had information out in the community and had members of its impact committee making calls.
Hall said he appreciated the support the levy did have though it didn’t win.
To those who didn’t support the levy, Hall said the administration wants to hear why
“We’ve got our ears open,” he said. “They always have been.”
The earliest date the Board of Education could put the measure back on the ballot will be May of 2013. Treasurer Tim Dettwiller said he will have to submit information to the board of elections by Jan. 25, 2013.
Your ears are open, BUT you have not listened for how long?
You closed down how many schools and moved them to one campus, I am not saying I have the answers but logic tells me no one wants their Elementary children being bused that far and bused with older students. I do remember an artile earlier this year where Mr Hall said something about not knowing their would be an issue with the amount of students and how many buses at the beginning of the school season. That right there sounded pretty stupid that the district would not know this before the school season started. Logic would tell you that MP would have had a new campus years ago, right outside of Mount Sterling which would have been more CENTRALLY located than what we have right now. You lost votes in Mount Sterling when the Elemtary School was closed down, home values drop without a school in a community, Times are tough, I know that a gym and cafateria want to be built because of space and getting student through lunches. “Want and Need” are the things the school board needs to be focusing on.
To put it back on the ballot in May, is just trying to get it slide by when less voters are out. That does not change the way the people feel our taxes are being spent.
I do support our kids and their education, but I will not support mis use of taxes for it! What was the tax money that has been collected for the schools that were closed used for?
Mr. Hall,
You have built an educational Walmart and are asking for support? The price is low, but the goods are cheap. 8th grade scores lowest out of four counties. Unless you count Sprngfld City. Wow. You are no Tom Shoemaker.
Stick to selling beer and ice cream, you are not an educator.
the board at MP needs all new blood and boone should retire
Ears are open? How about you moved the school into the middle of a cow pasture….largest population over there is the dairy cows and they don’t vote.
it failed leave it alone MAKE CUTS, THERE ARE PLENTY THAT CAN BE MADE the people have spoken