Clinton-Massie property tax levy will be ‘fixed sum,’ says Superintendent Matt Baker

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ADAMS TOWNSHIP — Finances will have to be stabilized if Clinton-Massie is going to be the best district in the region, the superintendent said at a community forum regarding the upcoming levy.

Superintendent Matt Baker gave an overview on district finances and traced the contours of the expected property tax levy at the Thursday gathering in the high school auditeria.

He said voters in November 2017 will be asked to approve what’s called a fixed-sum emergency levy rather than an operating levy.

With a fixed-sum emergency levy, if homeowners’ property values go up, the school district will not receive any more tax dollars — hence the name, fixed-sum levy.

Stressing he was giving an example and would like to reduce the number, Baker went over what the annual effect of a $1.6 million fixed-sum emergency levy would be on the property tax bill for the owner of a $100,000 home.

That person’s yearly property tax, said the superintendent, would increase by $210.

What are the expectations if such a five-year levy were to pass?

First and foremost would be the hiring and retaining of highly qualified staff through competitive salaries, according to Baker.

Levy approval also would enable the district to expand agriculture education, computer classes and all-day kindergarten, as well as add courses.

Fees such as those charged for student netbooks, pay-to-play, and transportation will be eliminated.

In short, passing the levy is a key for Clinton-Massie to “return to being the leader of the county” among public school districts, Baker said.

What are the expectations if such a levy were to get voted down?

Six teaching positions over three years would be cut, involving the loss of some elective courses, he said. There would be a probable increase in the size of elementary classes, a slowdown in acquiring access to current technology, fees such as pay-to-play would rise, and updates to curriculum would become stagnant, he said.

In addition, there could be closure of what’s called the annex due to maintenance costs, and the possible closure of the outdoor sports complex due to safety concerns with the lights, said Baker.

A focus group comprised of a cross section of the Clinton-Massie community overwhelmingly preferred a property tax levy to an income or earnings tax, he reported.

“The term I hear more than anything is ‘Don’t mess with my income’,” Baker added.

The district’s funding history shows that an operating levy has not passed since 1988, and it’s been 16 years since voters approved funds for the construction of new high school and elementary buildings.

Clinton-Massie has cut $2.7 million in spending since fiscal year 2010, usually by not replacing a retiring teacher or through hiring young teachers who have lower salaries when experienced teachers go elsewhere, said the superintendent.

“All those cuts have saved us, but there comes a point when there’s nothing left to cut,” Baker said.

What can district residents expect from the central office going forward? The first-year superintendent said he doesn’t plan on going anywhere if the board and residents will have him.

“It takes some consistency at the top. It takes vision from the top. I promise you I’ve got the vision, and I want to give you the consistency,” said Baker.

There will be more community forums regarding the levy, he said.

Reach Gary Huffenberger at 937-556-5768.

Clinton-Massie Local Schools Superintendent Matt Baker, right foreground, tells a forum audience that a focus group comprised of a cross section of the Clinton-Massie community overwhelmingly preferred a property tax levy to an income or earnings tax.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/03/web1_massie_lev_p_f.jpgClinton-Massie Local Schools Superintendent Matt Baker, right foreground, tells a forum audience that a focus group comprised of a cross section of the Clinton-Massie community overwhelmingly preferred a property tax levy to an income or earnings tax.
To be the best, finances have to be stabilized, says Baker

By Gary Huffenberger

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