BOND ISSUE WILL HELP MAINTAIN ASSETS
 

You may not want to be reminded that school starts this week. I may be unique, in that as much as I enjoy the freedom of summer I look forward to the tradition of fall. That tradition for me has always been going back to school.

I hope that you have been able to enjoy some time with family and friends over the last several weeks. We have been working diligently to create budget reductions and look for new and better ways to deliver an excellent educational product for our students.

As you know, we continue to evaluate long-term funding solutions for this public school district. Though we are not alone, we are Worthington's public school district and with that comes an added degree of credibility, responsibility and pride for all of us. After all, even before I began working with this school community, I was well aware of the expectation for educational excellence and the savvy of the community members.

I am pleased to share with you that the board of education, in response to community feedback, has directed us to rework and re-evaluate forecasts and spending. In doing so, we have made reductions for the upcoming school year in the amount of $1.1-million and for the 2007-08 school year close to $2-million.

As a result of the planned reductions and unanticipated revenue, we will not be requesting operating funds in 2006. Our need to maintain our assets is another story, however.

The board of education will likely place a bond issue on the November ballot. This bond issue will replace existing bonds as they expire. The funds generated from these bonds will be used to replace school buses, purchase computer equipment and repair school buildings.

So, what that means to us as taxpayers is that we will continue paying the same rate at which we currently pay. It is a "no new millage" bond issue. We are pleased with this option and hope that you agree it is a taxpayer-friendly option.

We are also committed to pursuing community feedback on a number of issues the entire school community is facing. Below are just a few that we are planning to coordinate:

* Defining quality for Worthington schools.

* Middle school enrollment and options for students.

* Financial health of the district.

As we get started with another school year, please remember that I welcome contact from the community. Feel free to call me or send me an e-mail. We also welcome you to come and visit our schools.

As a community, your children are doing amazing work everyday. Come see for yourself.

Melissa Conrath is the superintendent of the Worthington City School District. She can be reached at (614) 883-3000 or by e-mail at mconrath@worthington.k12.oh.us.