Toledo Public Schools: May 4, 2010 Levy Request

The May 4 Ohio primary election is one week from today. This election applies to both state-wide and local elections.

Not only does this primary election provide the opportunity for people who identify with a political party to choose the political party candidates to run in the November 2, 2010 general election, but it also provides the opportunity for all registered voters, whether they identify with a political party or not, to vote on the issues.

The registered voters in the Toledo Public School District will have the opportunity to vote for or against a school levy which appears on the May 4 ballot. This proposed levy is Issue 3, a three-quarter percent earned income tax levy.

Below is the exact wording for Issue 3 as it appears this date on the web page entitled May 4, 2010 Primary Election of the web site for the Lucas County Board of Elections:

Issue 3 – Toledo City Schools Current Expenses

PROPOSED SCHOOL DISTRICT INCOME TAX

TOLEDO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

A Majority Affirmative Vote is Necessary for Passage.

Shall an annual income tax of seventy-five one hundredths percent (0.75%) on the earned income of individuals residing in the school district be imposed by the Toledo City School District, for a continuing period of time, beginning January 1, 2011, for the purpose of CURRENT EXPENSES?

Even though I am a registered voter in the City of Toledo, and even though I served 3 elected terms for a total of 12 years on the Governing Board of the Lucas County Educational Service Center, formerly known as the Lucas County Board of Education, I will not vote on Issue 3, the Toledo School levy.

Incidentally, I have read elsewhere on the internet that there are two organizations who are not in favor of Issue 3. Specifically, a page on that website (ref: wtol.com) stated "Two groups have come to rally against the levy." Those two organizations are the Greater Toledo Urban League and Toledoans for Public Trust. That specific web site page also states "TPS leaders also acknowledge the school system will face cuts regardless of whether the levy passes ..."

Perhaps, you might find the audio/visual clip with its associated written story TPS levy push: Both sides speak out about Issue 3 from 13abc.com to be of interest.

I encourage all registered voters in the Toledo Public School District to become informed on Issue 3 and to turn out and vote. Vote whatever way you want, but at least vote with an informed decision.

Oh, for those of you who wonder why I will not vote on the TPS levy Issue 3 is quite simple: While I live in the City of Toledo, I do not live within the boundaries of the Toledo School District; I live in the Washington Local School District. Consequently, not being a resident of the Toledo Public Schools district, I am not allowed by law to vote on Issue 3.

Cross Reference:
Public Education and Knowledge or the Lack Thereof

If you are interested in more about the May 4 election in Lucas County, I suggest you visit the Lucas County Board of Elections May 4, 2010 Primary Election web page.