The Bowling Green City Schools’ Board of Education has placed a 0.75% traditional school district income tax levy on the ballot for May 6. If the levy does not pass, BG Schools will have to cut programs, staffing positions and reduce transportation.
The levy is estimated to generate approximately $6,684,000 per year for five years. The money will be used for the District’s general operating expenses such as bus fuel, classroom supplies, facilities maintenance, personal costs, textbooks, technology, transportation and utilities.
BG City Schools Superintendent Dr. Ted Haselman says the only way for the school district to balance its budget is by increasing revenue or decreasing expenditures.
“If we do not pass this levy, we need to reduce expenditures by approximately $2.6 million,” said Haselman. “The Board of Education has already approved this reduction list, and these are not threats, but actually things that will take place.”
Haselman says a “no” vote will result in 29 positions being eliminated. This includes seven teachers, three administrators, three school nurses, seven bus drivers, one assistant mechanic, two crossing guards, two custodians, one secretary and three support staff personnel.
Along with the staffing positions, all extracurriculars and programs available to students will be eliminated as well.
“All the athletics, arts, clubs, music and drama, yearbook, national honor society and the district Gifted program would all be eliminated,” said Haselman. “Our mental health therapist and case managers would be eliminated, there would be no field trips and all buildings would be shut down at the end of the day to outside groups to save on utilities and personnel costs.”
Transportation would be reduced as well, causing the schools to only be able to transport students in grades PK-8 who live more than two miles from school. There would be no transportation for high school students, and the size of each route for buses would be significantly larger.
BG residents have expressed their opinions on the levy on social media platforms like Facebook.
“Don’t fall for it people. They’re choosing this route to scare everybody into voting for the levy,” said a community member. “They chose this route because they want what they want and will get it regardless.”
Another community member expressed their thoughts against the levy.
“So they’re gonna threaten to get their way?” they said. “I don’t care what they do, it is a big no on my vote!” said another resident.
Other BG residents wrote positive comments, showing support for the levy.
“The Board, superintendent, and treasurer are public servants and good, decent people who genuinely want what is best for students and the staff who provide educational services,” they said. “They should be thanked and supported for seeking solutions, not criticized and berated.”
“Our children, teachers and ancillary staff need support,” another resident said. “Without short-term tax levies, the community will suffer, and BG deserves community support.”
If the levy fails, there would be another chance to pass it on a future ballot. Haselman says if it were to fail now but pass in the future, there is a chance the programs that were cut could come back.
“We would have to place another attempt on the ballot if it fails, but it would not save any of these reductions,” he said. “If it were to pass in the future, these programs could come back, but it wouldn’t be right away.”
Haselman says he thinks and hopes that people understand what has to happen, and he asks that BG residents exercise their right to vote on May 6.
“Should this levy not pass, our school district will look completely different than it does today,” said Haselman. “It could be devastating for our students, devastating for our community and it would be a big challenge to rebound from these reductions and eliminations.”
