The Bellaire Local Board of Education is turning to voters again for help in getting the district out of fiscal emergency.
The board approved a motion to place a five-year, 8.72-mill emergency levy on the November general election ballot. If approved, it is projected to generate more than $961,000 annually for the district.
In previous attempts, the district tried to get voter approval on separate occasions for a 12.9-mill levy, an 8.9-mill levy and a 1-percent income tax - all of which were shot down at the polls.
According to Superintendent Tony Scott, the district requested a levy certification from the Belmont County Auditor's Office for a measure that would generate about $1 million for the district.
Because of increases in property valuations, the district can now generate the funds needed with the smaller emergency levy request, he said.
The district has been in a state-declared fiscal emergency since December 2009, when school officials were unable to find a solution to a projected deficit.
Fact Box
THE NEXT MEETING
The next regular board of education meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 7.
In other business, Scott discussed preliminary results from state testing. Scott said the elementary and middle schools both could be rated "excellent."
The high school didn't do as well, but it did show an increase in its performance index, jumping from 84 percent to 90 percent. Final results from the tests are expected before the start of the school year.
The board also met behind closed doors for about 45 minutes to discuss employment of personnel and negotiations. Following the executive session, the board accepted the resignation of Michelle Johnson, elementary special education teacher, for the purpose of retirement, effective Aug. 19. It also accepted the resignation of Penny Barnes, middle school head cook, retroactive to May 1.
A "Big Red Kick Off Bash" is scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 19 at West Bellaire Community Center. The next regular board of education meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 7.
