New funding is coming to a handful of local school districts after voters approved school levies for Mariemont, Wyoming and Monroe.But some other schools levies failed.The Mt. Healthy levy failed by just over a thousand votes. The Princeton Schools levy lost by less than 700. Milford voters did not pass an income tax levy where district leaders have already made several cuts.The fiscal emergency for Mt. Healthy Schools became more dire Wednesday.The district is facing a $10 million deficit. The levy they hoped to pass could have helped them get back on track, instead more tough decisions are ahead.Dr. Valerie Hawkins, the district's superintendent says the largest part of the budget is staff salaries but letting teachers go is something they want to avoid."I don't anticipate a lot of layoffs because that's what happened last year," Hawkins said.She says a previous administration's accounting error left them millions of dollars in the red. She's working to balance the budget in a district she says has a 100% poverty status."You know last year we lost a lot of staff and that's been a challenge for our district, our teachers are amazing, they work very hard," Hawkins said.The Hall family agrees. Their kids are Mt. Healthy students and learning a lot. "Alaysia and Collins. Proud of them. And you know it starts not just at the school, it starts at the house. So we make sure on daily we do homework here at the house," father Collins Hall said.The small business owners are trying to build a future for their kids. But with the levy failing, they feel some new funding is well past due."We were informed that the levy hasn't passed for 21 years so it's really critical we get out there and pass this levy the next time it hits the ballot," mother Alyssia Hall said."I feel like it's never been supported. It's an ongoing situation that's been going on for years, it needs to change, and it should be this better opportunity for private schools but also for public schools," Collins Hall said.Some opponents of the levy said they weren't ready to trust the district with more money.As part of those budget cuts, the district let go of 80 teachers and staff earlier this year.
New funding is coming to a handful of local school districts after voters approved school levies for Mariemont, Wyoming and Monroe.
But some other schools levies failed.
The Mt. Healthy levy failed by just over a thousand votes.
The Princeton Schools levy lost by less than 700.
Milford voters did not pass an income tax levy where district leaders have already made several cuts.
The fiscal emergency for Mt. Healthy Schools became more dire Wednesday.
The district is facing a $10 million deficit. The levy they hoped to pass could have helped them get back on track, instead more tough decisions are ahead.
Dr. Valerie Hawkins, the district's superintendent says the largest part of the budget is staff salaries but letting teachers go is something they want to avoid.
"I don't anticipate a lot of layoffs because that's what happened last year," Hawkins said.
She says a previous administration's accounting error left them millions of dollars in the red. She's working to balance the budget in a district she says has a 100% poverty status.
"You know last year we lost a lot of staff and that's been a challenge for our district, our teachers are amazing, they work very hard," Hawkins said.
The Hall family agrees. Their kids are Mt. Healthy students and learning a lot.
"Alaysia and Collins. Proud of them. And you know it starts not just at the school, it starts at the house. So we make sure on daily we do homework here at the house," father Collins Hall said.
The small business owners are trying to build a future for their kids. But with the levy failing, they feel some new funding is well past due.
"We were informed that the levy hasn't passed for 21 years so it's really critical we get out there and pass this levy the next time it hits the ballot," mother Alyssia Hall said.
"I feel like it's never been supported. It's an ongoing situation that's been going on for years, it needs to change, and it should be this better opportunity for private schools but also for public schools," Collins Hall said.
Some opponents of the levy said they weren't ready to trust the district with more money.
As part of those budget cuts, the district let go of 80 teachers and staff earlier this year.