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School officials have said they wanted construction on the new Talawanda High School to begin as early as August, but a political action committee is attempting to repeal the bond issue that is funding the construction.

Oxford group works to halt Talawanda construction

'Stop Talawanda School District' gathers signatures to repeal Issue 16

By: Sam Kay

Posted: 6/19/09

Oxford resident Michael Schnipper has formed a political action committee (PAC) with other area residents and named it "Stop Talawanda School District" as part of an attempt to stop construction of Talawanda School District's new high school after the passage of a 4.7-mill bond issue in November 2008.

Schnipper said he was motivated to act when he discovered Talawanda School District is contesting many complaints regarding rental and commercial property value assessments made by Butler County Auditor Roger Reynolds.

"We've got a school board that has overstepped the bounds of appropriateness here," Schnipper said. "Why should the school board dabble in financial politics like this?"

Schnipper said the school district should "let the auditor do (his) job" and "leave it alone."

According to Mike Tilton, chief deputy auditor for Butler County, the school district is exercising privileges conferred by state law.

"The school is not exceeding its authority," Tilton said. "(It is doing) what the state has allowed."

Property values, which are re-assessed by the Butler County auditor every three years, determine the taxes that owners pay on their property and, in turn, the revenue school districts receive from the property taxes. The auditor's most recent reassessment, which property owners in the Talawanda area are complaining about, took place in 2008.

According to Tilton, taxpayers may file a complaint if they feel their property has been unfairly valued. Tilton said the auditor is required by state law to notify the school district if the complaint calls for a property value reduction of more than $50,000. The school district has 30 days to counter the complaint, which will then go before a board of revision that consists of the county auditor, county treasurer and president of the county commissioners.

Talawanda School District Treasurer Mike Davis said the school district opted to contest approximately 260 rental and retail property value assessments before the board of revision. "Property value should be based on bona fide appraisal or an 'arms length' sale by a disinterested third party," Davis said.

Davis said the school district's legal representation at the board of revision will only contest property value claims that do not meet these requirements. Davis also emphasized it is the Butler County auditor, not the school district, who decides property values.

"When the day is done, the board of revision has the final say," Davis said. "They listen to the property owner and they listen to our attorney, and they decide."

Schnipper said he is most disturbed that the school board has opted to "single out" rental and commercial properties.

Talawanda Superintendent Phil Cagwin said the school board chose to contest only profit-making properties, and that the contestation is "really a check to make sure all of the property owners are taxed fairly."

"(If) someone is underpaying, then it places a greater burden on the rest of the taxpayers," Cagwin said. "That's why the process exists."

Schnipper and the "Stop Talawanda School District" PAC have scheduled a number of events in and around Oxford to raise awareness of their grievances. The group is collecting money to pay for mailing, printing and attorney fees as well as colleting signatures to place an issue on the upcoming November ballot to repeal last year's Issue 16.

The PAC had its first public meeting Monday, June 22 at the Reily Township Recreation Center. According to Schnipper, between 100 and 125 people attended and contributed approximately $500 toward Stop Talawanda School District.

The PAC has more meetings scheduled in Milford and Hanover Townships in the days and weeks ahead, including 7:30 p.m. June 25 at the Hanover Township Community Center and at 7:30 p.m. July 6 at the Milford Township Community Center.

The Miami Student Effect

Although Schnipper, a Miami University alumnus, claims he does not contest the legality or appropriateness of Miami students voting on local issues, he said students sway some votes because "a lot of students might be uninformed, under-informed or misinformed about local issues."

Cagwin said he realizes the district will always face some form of opposition, but he is hopeful voters will continue to support it.

"We've lost a sense of helping the community," Cagwin said. "But many people in our community are voting for schools even though they don't have kids."

Schnipper's PAC Web site (www.stoptsd.com) also states it's goal is to "have a more representative view of the permanent Talawanda School District residents and votes" and that the members of the PAC "are tired of seeing our property taxes continue to increase, in part due to the influence of the Miami student vote during presidential election years."

Schnipper said he hopes student turnout November 2009 will be low since it will not be a presidential election year.

The point is likely moot, however, because according to the office of Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, bond issues - like the one Talawanda passed last November - cannot be repealed or reduced.

"(A bond issue) cannot be repealed or reduced. It cannot be monkeyed with," said Brunner spokesman Kevin Kidder.

This is consistent advice given to Talawanda by its attorneys.

Schnipper said the attorney Stop Talawanda School District consulted with told them they could place the issue on the ballot under section 5705.261 of Ohio Revised Code, but that section deals with levies, not bond issues.

According to Schnipper, Stop Talawanda School District is pressing ahead with its goal of using a ballot initiative to stop construction of the new high school and may also pursue other means of making voices heard.

"One of the best ways to deal with the school board is from a position of power," Schnipper said.