School board says tax levy would preserve the level of education

By Ben Holman

Nevada Herald

On Friday, the Nevada/Vernon County Chamber of Commerce hosted its first luncheon of the new year. The chamber welcomed in a new member, recognized the retirement of one board member and honored the outgoing president while welcoming in the new one.

Dr. Fred and Stephanie Guenther, of Guenther's Chiropractic and Acupuncture, located at Washington square in Nevada, were presented with a certificate of membership in the chamber and welcomed by those attending the luncheon.

Mitch Miller, who is retiring from the chamber board, was presented with a plaque in recognition of his service and outgoing president Rayma Adams handed over the gavel of leadership to Myles Miller, new chamber president. Miller presented Adams with a plaque in recognition of her service as well.

The featured speakers at this month's luncheon where Dr. Ted Davis, superintendent of the Nevada R-5 school district, Chris Ellis, president of the R-5 board of education, and Scott Kennedy, board member.

Ellis took the podium and started to state the school board's case for supporting a levy increase of 39 cents. "Our last two years we've had to cut the budget to make up for the state's shortfall. Last year we cut $1 million."

He said that if this levy issue doesn't pass, the district will be facing a $1.3 million deficit for the next school-year.

He said that the 39-cent increase would raise $500,000 locally and bring in an additional $1 million from the state.

"If we can get this levy passed it will help us keep class sizes small, we can put money back into technology," and various other things. He said that due to the budget shortfalls at the state level, the school has been forced to cut 34 positions over the past two years. He said that without some kind of levy increase it will become harder and harder for the Nevada schools to continue to obtain accreditation with distinction in the future, "there will come a point that we may not be able to maintain this."

"We need to do this for our community as a whole -- we need to do it for our children especially," he said. "Legislators have told us that if we need money that we're going to have to get it locally."

He said that it could be four, five or even six years before the legislature comes up with a solution for the funding formula. He said that the state government gives money to communities that show they are working to raise funds on their own, and that when we don't pass a levy and other communities do, it hurts our schools.

"Every time another school district passes a levy, we lose money," Ellis said.

Davis then demonstrated how the budget looked for the coming school year. "It's not our fault that the budget is short," he said. He said that if the state was funding the formula the way they said they would that Nevada would have a surplus of $772,031 instead of a $1.3 million shortfall.

"If they funded this formula the way they said they would, everyone would be thrilled."

He then showed what the 39-cent increase would do -- create around a $200,000 surplus. One-third of that would come locally and the rest would come from the state.

"The state recognizes local districts for taking matters into their own hands," said Davis, and they will provide more funds if the levy passes. "This will allow us to hire back some of those teachers that we desperately need."

"Last year we were just watching, hoping something would happen rather than going to the taxpayers with a levy -- folks, we need your help," said Davis.

Scott Kennedy addressed the group, emphasizing the economic impact the levy increase would have on Nevada. "A great school attracts business," he said. "If we pass this levy it will bring in $1 million of state revenue -- 87 percent of the money goes to payroll."

He said that seven times that number is the amount of impact that will be seen in the local economy through cash flow.

He emphasized the economic impact but pointed out, "We're here because we think this February levy is the right thing for our kids."

Presiding Vernon County Commissioner David Darnold also spoke at the meeting, saying that the commission is nearly finished with the budget for 2005 and that they are hoping to begin installing road signs on all county roads sometime in February. He also put in a plug for the school levy issue. "I believe that what has always made our country great is our public school system, and school levies are tax issues I always vote for."

New chamber president Myles Miller then closed the meeting by stating some of his goals for the year. "My number one goal is to promote chamber members and strive to make Nevada and Vernon County a better place to live."