New Carlisle -- A critical levy vote Tuesday night for Tecumseh Local Schools. If the latest levy on the ballot fails, the state could soon take over the district.
This is the 9th time voters will either approve or deny new money for the school district. People have voted the levy down eight times.
Brad Martin, Superintendent of Tecumseh Schools has only been on the job for 6 months and has his hands full.
"When we started the millage rate was more than half of what we're asking for now," he explained.
Which is a 12.37 mil operating levy that would generate $3.5 million for the district that's currently dealing with a $1.3 million deficit.
If not cuts will be made.
"Busing will be lost for grades 9 through 12 if this levy does not pass in May," said Martin.
However, the biggest reason the district says it needs to pass this levy now is to avoid a state takeover. If Tecumseh doesn't turn things around, a panel of 5 people will be appointed to oversee everything the board approves.
"Whether it's hiring, barrow, budgetary, whether it be field trips whatever that may be," said Martin.
For parents, the hardest hit will be cuts made to free extra curricular activities. If the levy fails, pay to play sports will be implemented.
"And it's going to be expensive. I mean they have a cap but still I think a lot of kids will be affected and won't be able to play," said Mary Bole, who has three kids in the district.
Since 2004, cuts have already been made. The district hasn't received new operating money since 1995.
"We have 23 percent less teachers than we did in 2004 so we have reduced our staff," Martin explained.
However, some residents of New Carlisle aren't buying it. Lloyd Manchester has been living in New Carlisle for 30 years and would like to see more cuts made before he gives his support.
"The salaries are out of line here we need to take that into consideration," said Manchester. "We don't believe that it's fair that we have to pay more in more taxes. My taxes in this property has increased 65 percent in the past ten years it's ridiculous."
The levy will cost the owner of a $100,000 about $379.00 per year. If the levy fails, the board says they will immediately vote to put another levy on the ballot in August.
Follow Reporter Annette Peagler on Twitter and Facebook.
This is the 9th time voters will either approve or deny new money for the school district. People have voted the levy down eight times.
Brad Martin, Superintendent of Tecumseh Schools has only been on the job for 6 months and has his hands full.
"When we started the millage rate was more than half of what we're asking for now," he explained.
Which is a 12.37 mil operating levy that would generate $3.5 million for the district that's currently dealing with a $1.3 million deficit.
If not cuts will be made.
"Busing will be lost for grades 9 through 12 if this levy does not pass in May," said Martin.
However, the biggest reason the district says it needs to pass this levy now is to avoid a state takeover. If Tecumseh doesn't turn things around, a panel of 5 people will be appointed to oversee everything the board approves.
"Whether it's hiring, barrow, budgetary, whether it be field trips whatever that may be," said Martin.
For parents, the hardest hit will be cuts made to free extra curricular activities. If the levy fails, pay to play sports will be implemented.
"And it's going to be expensive. I mean they have a cap but still I think a lot of kids will be affected and won't be able to play," said Mary Bole, who has three kids in the district.
Since 2004, cuts have already been made. The district hasn't received new operating money since 1995.
"We have 23 percent less teachers than we did in 2004 so we have reduced our staff," Martin explained.
However, some residents of New Carlisle aren't buying it. Lloyd Manchester has been living in New Carlisle for 30 years and would like to see more cuts made before he gives his support.
"The salaries are out of line here we need to take that into consideration," said Manchester. "We don't believe that it's fair that we have to pay more in more taxes. My taxes in this property has increased 65 percent in the past ten years it's ridiculous."
The levy will cost the owner of a $100,000 about $379.00 per year. If the levy fails, the board says they will immediately vote to put another levy on the ballot in August.
Follow Reporter Annette Peagler on Twitter and Facebook.