Worthington school board members' first meeting in 2009 will be a public work session to discuss the millage amount needed for an operating levy expected to be on the May 2009 ballot.

Board President Jennifer Best said a levy work session will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Jan. 9 at the Worthington Education Center, 200 E. Wilson Bridge Road.

Community members are invited to attend the work session, but it will be for information and board discussion only, Best said.

"People are welcome to come and listen," she said. "We have three topics on the agenda. We'll start with an update on our 21st-century renewal efforts, then talk about where we stand on the various building and technology updates."

The third topic is an update on the district's finances by Treasurer Jeff McCuen.

"Jeff will go over the monthly financial reports and what is important about those, and his annual budget report, then we will talk about the five-year financial forecast and discuss what levy amount will be needed based on that forecast," Best said.

She said board members most likely also will discuss the levy during January's organizational board meeting, set for 7:30 p.m. Jan. 12 at the education center.

Last February, a public work session was held to discuss possible types of operating levy requests. At that time, McCuen said district expenses would exceed revenue in 2009, with a budget deficit of $3.1 million by 2011. He said an operating levy amount in the range of 6.4 mills to 7.9 mills would be needed to avoid that deficit.

A 6.4-mill operating levy would cost the owner of a $200,000 house around $392 in additional annual property taxes, McCuen said in February. He also said a 7.9-mill levy would cost the same homeowner about $483 in additional annual taxes.

The newest five-year financial forecast, approved by board members in October, showed a healthier bottom line, with a $3.1 million positive balance in 2011.

Despite the positive balance, McCuen said he still would recommend an operating levy request on the May ballot, because expenses will begin to exceed revenue in 2010.

Voters approved a 6.85-mill operating levy in March 2004, then a $37.5 million bond issue for capital improvements in November 2006.

Best said the May 2009 ballot "is still our target date.

"If we're going to put an issue on the May ballot, we'll have to get all our motions and recommendations approved by mid-February," she said.

McCuen said the work session may determine the size of the levy request.

"We still intend to be on the ballot in May 2009 and the work session was planned for that reason: to discuss the size of levy that will be needed," he said.