On November 6, 2012, the Milford Exempted Village School District’s 4.5 operating levy request was narrowly defeated. Clermont County Board of Election results show our levy lost by 299 votes. The current count is 10,673 for the levy and 10,972 against. Because of the close count, we will be in contact with the Board of Elections regarding provisional ballots, but it is unlikely to make up the difference. The Board of Elections will not count the provisional ballots for 10 days and it will take an additional 10 days to count these ballots. We will not know the final results until after Thanksgiving.
“We are disappointed by the narrow loss of the levy. Our Board of Education will be meeting in November and December to regroup as we consider our options for the future,” said Milford Superintendent, Dr. Robert Farrell.
The levy was critical to the district to offset the loss of more than $4 million in funding from the state of Ohio. With the loss of the levy, the district must make budget cuts. The decisions on budget reductions will be made in January, before the Board decides if there will be a levy request in May 2013 and determine the amount of this levy request. These cuts will impact all areas of our budget: curriculum and instruction, transportation, operations, and athletics/activities. A list of potential cuts can be found on Treasurer’s page of the district website.
According to Dr. Farrell, the district has surveyed the community and a majority reported that they were willing to pay extra taxes to keep our current program and services. Through several community engagement activities the district received similar positive feedback.
“Based on the results of the election, it is apparent that we need to go back to the community and determine what kind of school district Milford is willing to support. One thing is for certain; the Board and Administration will need to make tough decisions as we review our options for further budget reductions to offset the more than $4 million in cuts from the state.”
Milford Board of Education President, Mr. David Yockey added, “I am disappointed by the failure of our operating levy. In the past four years, this Board of Education has reduced anticipated expenditures by $20 million through fiscal responsibility and frugal spending practices. This levy was sorely needed to offset the loss in state funding. I am not looking forward to the difficult choices the Board must make in order to balance our already lean budget.”
The next regular Board of Education will be meeting on November 15, at Meadowview Elementary, 5556 Mt. Zion Road, beginning at 7 p.m.
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