Dover City Schools to place levy on ballot
Dover City Schools continues to engage the community on the future of the school district. A 176,766 square foot high school is currently under construction.
On July 18 the Dover City Schools Board of Education approved the required second resolution to place a 6.9 mill tax levy on the Nov. 5, 2019, ballot. The levy would generate $2,631,975 annually for the district for five years and is the same amount as the operating levy this past May.
“This is the single most important issue facing our schools right now,” said Board President Jeannine Kennedy. “The board voted unanimously to place this levy on the ballot because it is needed to continue our schools on a stable financial path and protect the programs and services for kids that we all value as residents of this great community.”
The most recent five-year forecast shows that the revenues remain flat while expenditures continue to grow. The district has made long-term changes to the operating budget to stretch the time between levies as much as possible. Despite these efforts and without additional funding, the district faces a funding deficit in 2022.
The district continues to look for ways to improve the financial outlook without impacting programs for students. Nine positions have been reduced over the last two years. “We’ve been able to accomplish that and protect the quality of our schools,” said Superintendent Carla Birney. “The fact remains that without additional funds, what we offer to our students will change dramatically.”
The district continues to engage the community on the future of the school district. The board of education is currently working to gather feedback, answer questions, and provide facts about the district’s financial situation.
“We want to hear from our residents about what they want when it comes to the future of our schools,” said Kennedy. “Our hope is that we continue to have open and transparent communication to make sure we are meeting the expectations of our residents, while offering the best schools possible for students and community.”