The Miami Trace Board of Education is hosting public forums this Monday and April 24 to discuss the emergency renewal levy that will be on the May primary election ballot. This levy, however, has one important distinction — it’s a renewal levy with a half-million dollar reduction.

The current five-year emergency levy that expired at the end of 2016 with the final year of collection in 2017 is being reduced from 2.4 mills to 1.9 mills if passed by Miami Trace Local School District voters on May 2. The new five-year term would run from 2017-2021 and would generate $1.9 million per year.

“We recognize that our taxpayers have provided so much for our district,” said Miami Trace Superintendent David Lewis. “Strong fiscal management has made it possible for us to give back. Although the renewal levy is necessary for the operation of our district, a half-million dollar reduction allows us to continue to provide well-rounded educational opportunities for our students while reducing the financial burden to our local taxpayers.”

As it has in the past, this emergency levy would be used for general operations of the school district, including personnel salaries and benefits, purchased services, supplies and equipment.

Both forums will be held at the conclusion of the regular school board meetings this Monday, April 10 and Monday, April 24. The meetings will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the public forums should begin at approximately 6:30 p.m.

“For anyone who has questions or wants more information on the levy, we encourage them to come to the board meetings,” said Lewis.

Also at this Monday’s meeting, Lewis is scheduled to recommend that the board approve the negotiated agreement with the Miami Trace Non-Certified Education Association and the collective bargaining agreement with the Miami Trace Education Association.

The meetings will be held at the Miami Trace Board of Education Office.