GRAHAM NEWS RELEASE – FAIL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GRAHAM: THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS, NEED DID NOT GO AWAY WITH BALLOT
FAILURE

Saint Paris, OH, November 7, 2017 – The district’s modest earned income tax proposal came up
short of the necessary number of votes required for passage last night. District officials must
now consider next steps, including the possibility of making cutbacks to an already stretched
budget.

“While, it is not the outcome that we wanted we worked hard to communicate and reach
residents with information about the financial stress our district is under,” said Superintendent
Kirk Koennecke. “I wish to thank our volunteers, teachers, staff and supporters. They did a
fantastic job, they hit the streets, talked with their neighbors and they did it for the single
reason they want what is best for our Graham community.”

The district placed a modest earned income tax proposal on the Tuesday, November 7 ballot.
The proposal would have provided more resources so that Graham students do not fall behind.
Resources like up-to-date technology, classrooms, textbooks and lab materials along with
additional science, technology and academic programs.

“The need did not go away with the failure of this levy,” stated Koennecke. “The district has not
had new operating dollars in 24 years and the budget will remain strained. It will take some
time, however, to assess the next steps and to determine what it means operationally for the
district.”

As for what is next, the district and board will take some time to review the results and to step
back and engage the community.

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