FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GRAHAM SCHOOL BOARD: LEVY CANNOT WAIT, NEED IS URGENT

SAINT PARIS, OH, DECEMBER 13, 2017 – After the failure of the November ballot issue, the
Graham School Board unanimously voted to return immediately to the ballot in May for a
modest 1% earned income tax. The earned income tax issue is the same as the November
request except this time the need is more urgent and cuts will occur immediately if the levy
does not pass.

“This is a lean request and frankly it still doesn’t provide all that we need,” stated Steve Settee,
board president. “That’s how lean this request is and that’s how urgent it is needed. Without
additional funds, we simply cannot afford to operate at the same level and cuts will need to be
made. This is the stark fiscal reality of what we are facing.”

In the district’s case, approximately $X million would need to be cut if the May 8 levy does not
pass. Superintendent Kirk Koennecke stressed that with a budget as lean and small as
Graham’s is that this represents quite a bit for the district.

Graham Local is already running lean. Any cuts made would be in addition to the $2.35 million
cut in 2011-12. That round of cuts saw the loss of twenty-four teachers, along with other
support and administrative staff, along with academic programs.

“The need did not go away with the November failure and it will not go away with a May one
either,” stated Sette. “Instead, it only worsens. It affects our schools, the education we can
provide, our community and ultimately opportunities for students. There is urgency and it is
with this May election.”

A modest 1% earned income tax issue would tax earned income only. Retirement, Social
Security and pensions and similar forms are not considered earned income and are exempt
from the tax. It has been 24 years since the district asked for and passed a ballot issue for
operating funds.

If the levy passes, then the district can maintain the same, lean quality of education.

If it fails, the district will need to enact cuts immediately after the May election. As for what
those cuts specifically are, the board is working with the district to determine those with an
announcement expected in January. Cuts would be effective after the May election and likely
into the following school year.

“This is not a discussion that any of us wanted to have and all options are on the table right
now and it is impossible to say that it would not be detrimental to our schools or to students.
There is just no way around it,” noted Sette. “We will continue to communicate with the
community about the seriousness of this in an open and transparent way. These schools belong
to all of us and the May election will determine what we want our schools and community to
look like.”

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