Coventry seeks tax boost that could lift it from state oversight
You can't blame Superintendent
An issue on the ballot holds the prospect of independence for the
On
Since then, a five-member
Blough believes a proposed 1 percent earned income tax on the
District officials estimate the income tax could generate about
"The first thing that happens is we are going to start the process of emergence from fiscal emergency," Blough said.
Blough knows the tax is a tough sell to voters, but they aren't the first party she needed to convince about the ballot issue.
It also was a tough sell to the state commission overseeing
Commission chairman
In a
The relationship between the commission, the school board and the administration have been cordial, but often strained.
"Ultimately, we have the same goal," Blough said. "That [the] district is stronger than ever before."
She said it is stronger, and achingly close to a position to free itself from state control.
She also knows it's up to the voters, who will decide on the earned income tax issue, a departure from the usual property tax and bond issues.
It may be new to the district's voters, but it's not that uncommon among
Throughout
It would not apply to individuals on
"It certainly doesn't mean we are going to have a windfall," Blough said. "It gives us the amount of revenue we think we need for long-term financial stability."
If voters approve it, the tax would last five years and replace a property tax that expires in 2020.
Difficult cuts
It's been a difficult climb, and Blough is not afraid to say it.
A fiscal year 2019 forecast released in May by the Ohio Auditor's Office shows employment is down about 5 percent in the district since 2016.
For certified staff -- teachers and some administrators -- in the same period of time, the decline is more steep at 9.4 percent.
Morale took a hit and the district slipped in academic rankings, although it's on the rebound, rising from a "D" in 2018 to a "C" in 2019.
A building on
Years have been spent stabilizing class sizes, which Blough said are now "reasonable" but "not small by any means."
Open enrollment, which the state identified as a drain on the district's resources, has been pared back, Blough said, although she's unsure the state's analysis about its effects is comprehensive.
"Since I've come on board, we have [about] 24 percent less open enrollment students," the superintendent said.
As of last week, the district had 1823 students. Of that, 557 were open enrollment students. The district includes residents of the township and slivers of
"There has been an impact on morale," Blough said in a recent interview at her office. "[We] have sacrificed quite a bit and have done without for a long time."
That's why the election is so important to her.
The commission still wants the district to improve its health care costs, and Blough said it's in the works.
But for the first time this century, the district can see light at the end of the financial tunnel. Come late night on
Blough is optimistic voters will see it her way.
"I think it's an opportunity for us to turn the page," Blough said. "We've made great strides in the district financially. This is a great opportunity for us to expand that positive momentum..."
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