The Riverside School Board met in a special session Monday evening to come up with contingency plans if the November levy fails.

The board is asking voters to pass a 2% replacement tax.

The current levy calls for inclusion of earned income and self-employment income only and would exclude income from such items as pensions, interest, capital gains, and rental incomes. (Audio and video interviews included.)

Treasurer Lisa Fahncke spoke about a 12.4 mill property tax and a renewal of traditional income tax that the board would request to be on the ballot next spring, if the November levy does not pass.

Watch Fahncke explain. 

Board President Jim Cox noted that the board has already cut $500,000 in spending over the last two years.

The board came up with a proposed "Plan A and Plan B."

Listen to President Cox discuss cutbacks.

Plan A outlines cuts to cover a $133,133 deficit with approval of new income tax in fiscal year 2010.

Plan B addresses a failed levy in November and in Spring 2009, creating a $772,093 deficit for the fiscal year 2010 school year.

Plan A reductions of approximately $151,920 would include:

1- Two certified positions

2 -Transportation and Maintenance Supervisor.

Plan B reductions of approximately $177,282 would include:

Plan A along with:

1- Ag and Industrial Arts

2 - Athletics 

3 - Supplementals

4 - Review of administrative salary and costs

5 - Review of outsourcing for payroll and maintenance.

Superintendent Bernie Pachmayer and Fahncke will further review needed cuts.

Board President Cox commented "even if the levy passes, we're still going to have to reduce some folks on the staff."

Board member DeeDee Harshbarger commented on the potential for the Ohio Department of Education to move in to regulate the school if levies failed and the district moved into a financial deficit.

Commissioner Dave Knight was on hand and said, "let us never get to that point. Never, never face Columbus to run our school."

It has been 13 years since the last new operating levy.

Levy Chairman Chris Egbert is encouraging the community to come to an upcoming event and have any questions answered. 

On October 10th, the levy committee is holding a Spaghetti Dinner at the school prior to the football game.

On October 28th, the levy committee and board will hold an open forum at 7:30 at the school after the book fair.