Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Schools OKs $1M more in cuts, eyes March levy

BELLBROOK — The Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Schools board approved $1 million in cuts Thursday night during its meeting at Bellbrook Middle School.

RELATED: Bellbrook schools eye more cuts, possible levy

With financial forecasts predicting that district expenses would outpace revenue for the next school year, board members on Thursday also discussed putting a levy on the March ballot, even after voters in May soundly rejected a tax increase.

The district’s financial forecast, shows they will be in the red next school year. That's why the school board approved its second round of budget cuts. Previous cuts of more than $800,000 included eliminating some bus routes and 20 positions.

Along with cutting the budget, district leaders discussed a levy.

“In this point in time we really thought the real estate tax is the best way to go,” Superintendent Doug Cozad told the board. “It’s a 5.7-mill levy raising approximately $3.3 million a year.”

Some residents spoke Thursday night, saying they rejected the May levy because they did not understand how it would help the school district.

“I want to present my confusion about how the budget works. For myself, there are still many questions that have not been addressed yet,” one resident said.

RELATED: Bellbrook schools stick with budget cuts for now, won’t try levy in fall

The levy is not a done deal.

If it is placed on the ballot, and is approved, a person with a $100,000 home would pay $199 extra a year.

The board will revisit a tax increase at its meeting next month, and to see whether it’s possible to get it on the March ballot.