BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — The superintendent of Bowling Green City Schools stopped by the Wood County Committee on Aging on Friday to talk to voters about the district's levy on the November ballot, which will add an additional .75% increase to the income tax.
Ted Haselman says the levy will support day-to-day operations as inflation and increased costs impact schools, as well fund supplies, bus fuel and payroll for staff.
"In order for us to keep up and to continue to provide the great services that we do to our students, we need additional operating dollars," he said.
With the district including six schools, Haselman said it needs as much help as possible.
"We're a big organization. We have approximately 450 staff members and we provide great services to approximately 2,700 students on a daily basis," he said. "It's expensive to provide a great service and educate kids."
Community members in attendance at the meeting declined on-camera interviews but voiced their displeasure after having passed a levy to fund the building of a new school.
But Haselman says the need for school funding will never go away.
"The cost of running our school district will not go away," he said. "So, the need for additional dollars is not going to go away in order for us to continue to provide the great services that we do."
While Haselman didn't offer specifics, the district says if the levy doesn't pass, it could result in staffing and student program reductions and another levy request would be placed on voters' ballots in the spring of 2025.
"We strive each and every day to continue to provide a great service and improve upon what we do," Haselman said. "And these dollars will help continue to provide those great services that we do for our students."