One of the good features of Tiffin is that it is a community of level-headed people who don't like to waste money. Driving around town, you notice they keep up their properties; they repair, patch and paint when necessary. They think maintaining their homes makes sense, and they have neighborhoods for which they can be proud.
I believe they feel the same way about their public schools. I have voted in every election since 1973 and it has been rewarding to have been among the thousands of Tiffin School District voters who passed the first permanent improvement levy in 1977, and then successfully renewed that levy six more times, each time for the same one mill - no increase.
Those voters knew the money raised was necessary to maintain, repair and purchase the equipment and supplies that keep the buildings, buses and school facilties going and in good shape.
Today, in 2012, that is still a renewal levy, with the same millage or tax rate the homeowner is paying today.
And it's still true the revenue from this 1-mill levy cannot be used for teachers' salaries, fringe benefits, teaching materials or day-to-day operation of the schools. But the $210,000 it brings to the schools each year (about $1.19 a month from the average taxpayer) is critical for the health of the district and its equipment. Without that money, the list of things that could not be taken care of is very long. Should the levy fail, there is no other money to cover these expenses. The kids will suffer, the district will suffer and Tiffin will suffer as deterioration becomes the norm.
The Tiffin City School District is asking for a renewal of a levy that has been supporting the schools for 35 years. This levy is the reason we can be proud that the school facilities are in such good shape. I hope you'll join me in voting to keep this source of funding for our schools for another five years.
Pat Hillmer,
Tiffin
