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Editor:
This letter is written on behalf of the Lisbon Levy Committee. As most of you know we have been working hard to promote passage of a 1 percent income tax on earned income for the Lisbon School District. We appreciate all of the support and feedback that we have received since the start of the levy campaign. We would like to inform you of the following:
1. There is a definite need.
The Lisbon School District has not asked for an operating levy for the last 35 years. Our cash reserves will be exhausted in the very near future. Ohio law prohibits any school district to operate in the red.
2. The earned income tax is a fair option.
We feel strongly that a 1 percent tax on earned income is the best option. It spreads the responsibility across all wage earning households in the Lisbon School District and is less of a burden to the district's senior population. Last year action by the state legislature and Governor Kasich reduced the state income tax burden on all Ohio wage earners. "The (state) budget cuts personal income tax rates for all taxpayers by an additional 6.3 percent. Beginning with the 2015 tax year, the individual income tax rates will top out at 4.997 percent for the highest income bracket."
3. In February of 2017 district property taxes will go down.
A 3-mill bond issue has recently expired and will not be renewed. This will reduce district property taxes in February 2017.
4. Student services are being maintained.
The district has maintained a high level of services to students and their families. We have waived elementary student fees for the last six years. Students are provided free transportation to and from school. Students in the elementary and middle school have access to iPads, 3D printers, and an excellent STEM curriculum. High School students have individual use of Chrome Books, NetBooks, and laptops from their freshman through their senior year. For the most part extracurricular activities are provided with no participation fees.
5. These funds will be used for general operating expenses.
General operating expenses include but are not limited to instructional materials, special education costs, transportation costs, salaries, insurance, utilities and many others.
6. Other districts have successfully employed this option.
Districts in the county that currently have an income tax are Crestview, United, and Columbiana. Those levies are continuing; the Lisbon Board of Education has set a 10-year limit on this levy request.
We appreciate your consideration and ask you to please vote on Nov. 8, and when you do please support Lisbon School District by voting yes for this levy.
Charles Bell
Lisbon