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My wife and I voted for the BW School levy, even though it would've pinched us financially. The levy request failed, and now the superintendent is talking about an even larger levy in spring? He needs to wake up and realize that there's a limit to what people can afford.

Not so incidently, a client cut my pay by $500 last summer. Has Steve Mazzi, the superindendent, offered to take a pay cut?

I actually voted against it. I was on the fence the whole time and I believe communication from the school board along with the economy lead to the failure. If you take all the fifth graders out of the elementary schools and put them in middle school for 5 &6th grade I don't see the need for a new elementary. I don't want BW to turn into Westerville. I don't have a problem passing levys but the comments I recieved from someone on the school board, no name mentioned, lead me to cast my vote to no.

It is unfortunate this levy had to fail. Mazzi is correct, it isn't a reflection on the Schools, but a reflection on the economy. Everyone is bringing home less money this year. I took a 15% pay cut. Working in Columbus, I just saw my city taxes increase by 25%- and couldn't even vote on that one. Like everyone else... I am strapped.
This Levy was just too big when things are so tight. Asking for a $4.2 - million per year increase to cover a $1.3-million shortfall seems rather excessive to me.
Come back in the spring with a REASONABLE Levy - not more - things will look different.

this sucks alot!!!!!!!!!!

Here is just one reason the BW Tax levy failed. I move here in 1999, my county taxes were about $2000. Today they are $6000. If this important levy passed our taxes would have went up by $1011.00 For us it was a survival (stay in our home or be forced out) "no" vote. I am a retired fellow on a fixed income. We know the day will come when our dream retirement home will belong to someone else. I did vote for the two other levies and the Veteran's bonus. I hope the administration can find a way to not punish the kids and cut in other areas. With a lot of farmers and retired people in my area I am suspect that I am not alone with my reason to vote no.

Maybe cuts should begin with the 10% Pay increase your Adminitrative Staff Took just months before the levy. Instead your board makes threats that ultimatley hurt only the children and the future of our country, and our economy. It is a wide opion that the poor financial management your board has displayed put the district where it is. maybe you should start there. I can tell you I would not vote for some thing that, in this economy increases my prperty taxes Knowing how poorly things have previously been managed. We have to trust what we support. So far, Not alot of trust..

Article quote from Superintendent reads: "I don't think it's a reflection of the Big Walnut schools or the job our staff does. I think it's more of a reflection of the local and national economy."

Then why did the library levy pass?!
The Board and the Superintendent are COMPLETELY MISTAKEN if they think this vote is just "reflective of the economy". 1) No one in the administration is a resident of the district 2) Keeping the former treasurer on payroll, while cutting education services, is a farce, and 3) The teachers union would not be open to a pay freeze.
The swing "no" votes are a clear message being sent: Dissatisfaction with the administration and that sacrifice is a two-way street.