LM COULD LOSE MORE THAN $2 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING
Below, the Little Miami School District urges residents to send a letter to State Senator Shannon Jones:
State must pass House Bill by December 31 or cuts will be enacted
As 2009 comes to close, Little Miami School District officials are keeping a close eye on what is happening in Columbus. The state budget is currently at an impasse. While the House of Representatives supports a House Bill to help overcome a $851 million deficit, the Senate, so far, does not have the votes needed to pass this bill which would protect education funding in Ohio.
The problem is that the bill must be passed by December 31, 2009. As 2009 ticks away, so does the opportunity to avoid catastrophic cuts to preschool through college education programs.
If a solution is not worked out by year end, Ohio faces not only the $851 million budget shortfall, but also risks losing an additional $750 million of federal stimulus dollars for not being in compliance with the "maintenance of effort" requirements.
The end result is – in addition to all the cuts and revenue reductions Little Miami has experienced and continues to experience – the district could be facing additional cuts in state funding. If a fix is not implemented, Little Miami is expected to lose $1,045,164 in the next 6 months, and an additional $1,563,922 in the 2010-2011 school year – for a total loss of $2,609,087 in just one-and-a-half years. These cuts will be in addition to the $6.5 million in state funding reductions the district has already experienced.
These losses will be devastating for our school district. Public education in Warren County will lose approximately $24 million in just 18 months. Little Miami firmly believes that education in Ohio is worth the effort of our political leaders to be reasonable and reach a compromise. For this reason, district officials are encouraging everyone to research Ohio House Bill 318 and let legislators know what you think about the impending budget shortfall and its consequences.
Here is an example letter you can send to Senator Shannon Jones:
Senator Jones,
Today I have been made aware that if no legislative action is taken on HB 318 by December 31, 2009, Little Miami Local Schools will receive a cut in basic aid of $1,045,164 this school year and a further reduction of $1,563,922 next school year. This would mean a total of $2,609,087 will be lost by our school district over the next eighteen months. Our district has already experienced significant cuts in state funding, and these additional cuts will be devastating to the education of our children.
Little Miami Local Schools is a wise investment for the future. Your support is needed to ensure that legislation is passed to alleviate the $851 million dollar state budget deficit and prevent any loss in state and subsequent federal aid to all the school districts you represent.
Sincerely,
Senator Jones contact information:Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, 2nd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 466-9737
Email: SD07@senate.state.oh.us
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