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Little Miami Local Schools is projected to lose $17.53 million over the next four years when district enrollment is expected to grow by 800 students and two new buildings will open. The shortfall is due to changes in state funding for schools due to Gov. Ted Strickland's biennium budget, according to the district.

"(We have) some financial challenges as we look ahead to plan for the district's future," said treasurer Shaun Bevan.

So the school board last week decided to ask voters to decide in November on a 1 percent earned income tax to help fund Little Miami schools.

The income tax would generate $6.3 million per year — more than double what was brought in by the emergency operating levy, the collection of which was discontinued in 2006 when the board decided to roll the levy back one year.

The cuts result in a significant difference from Bevan's previous projections.

"The governor and legislature's new state biennial budget that went into effect July 1, 2007, really hurt Little Miami's financial outlook," Bevan said. "Projections estimated the district would receive an increase of more than $3 million in state aid this fiscal year — aid that has now been cut by the state biennial budget."

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4507 or rycook@coxohio.com.

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