The original story is posted below. As always this blog is about your thoughts - so post your opinion.

http://newstalkradiowhio.com/localnews/2008/09/dayton-homicides-hit-2007-mark.html

Welcome to my first blog.

The purpose of this blogsite is to speak out to and for Dayton. To raise topics and issues that Daytonians are concerned about. To offer ideas if and where I have some. And to offer you the opportunity to add to the discussion, whether you agree, disagree or just have some additional fact or figure to offer.

Who am I? Wouldn't you like to know? Let's just say: I was born and raised in Dayton and I'm proud to be living in my hometown.

That having been said, I know my hometown is not a perfect place. No such hometown could be. When Dayton is right, I'll defend it. When Dayton's wrong, it needs our help. That's where you and I come in...with the free and open exchange of ideas.

Again, my shoulders are broad...if you think you've got a better idea, bring it on. I welcome your comments. Let's just keep things civil, OK?

So, today my topic concerns the Dayton Public Schools, which will place before voters a 4.9 mill continuing operating levy on the November ballot to meet the district's pressing financial needs.

My initial reaction? This levy, at least on the surface, makes a whole lot more sense than that 15 mill monstrosity the district tried to get passed about a year and a half ago that I said was "D.O.A." on the day it was announced, and was not surprised when voters rejected it.

Interim Superintendent Dr. Kurt Stanic has a tough job, and I wish him well. Certainly, getting a levy passed in these tough economic times is a task in and of itself. Least of all considering the following:

According to the latest figures I could locate on the internet (if you have more current ones, please add to the discussion), Dayton Public Schools graduate about 56% of its' students. That means more than 4 in 10 fail or drop out. Yet, it's also true that Dayton Public Schools sees a higher amount of Special Education students than many districts, and (according to the stats I found), 65% of students in the district qualify as "poor".

That does not mean, however, gains in the district are not being made. Dayton students made academic gains in 7 of 8 math indicators on the 2007 state report card. A Thurgood Marshall Senior, Jose Gutierrez was named a 2008 Gates Millennium Scholar, one of only 1000 students nationwide chosen to receive the award. And, it's worth noting that Dayton has produced 11 such scholars in the past 8 years.

Dayton Public Schools have been top heavy in the past with administrators, and the district spent big bucks 4 years ago to purchase a former corporate world headquarters as its home. OK, what's done is done. The issue of the number administrative jobs will need to be watched and continue to be addressed by the district. The tight budget I'm certain will (and rightfully should) force change where change is needed.

Still and yet, the Ohio Department of Education says Dayton spent $13,531 dollars in total expenditures per pupil in 2006-2007 - the 2^nd highest among urban school districts. Only Youngstown spent more. And if that sounds like a lot of money to you, consider the large number of students considered "poor" in the district and one could draw the conclusion that that means more has to be provided since those students' families don't have the cash to provide as well as do families that are more well-off.

I am fully aware that the decision to cut school-provided RTA passes to high school students this year has some parents absolutely irate. Just as irate, I would hope, as the parents of students whose academic or arts-related programs were cut in the 30 million dollars of budget cuts made this year.

And, no...I won't apologize for music or arts programs in schools. They are just as important to producing well-rounded citizens as are football or basketball programs.

It's very easy to say, "if they'd just cut some of the (bleeping) administrators, they'd have enough money". Maybe...or maybe not. And to always tell a school district, "you've got enough money, make it work" is not exactly a real-world view. School districts pay electric bills, heating and cooling bills, just like you and I do. How much have yours gone up lately? Now, multiply that by a factor of (what?) ten or 20 or more...

At the same time, I can appreciate taxpayers (with family incomes of $20-$40 thousand per income) foaming at the mouth when a school administrator being paid six figures says to the media, "It's only "X" dollars more a year for each homeowner". What's "only" to you may be "a lot" to some.

But, that's the decision we all have to make as taxpayers and voters when a school district asks for more.

Am I saying here Dayton's levy needs to pass? I'm not going to make an endorsement here. At least, not yet. But, I am saying this is not the time to simply pass judgment based upon sound bites on the TV or radio news, or a single pamphlet that may come to your door between now and November. Take the time to learn all sides of this discussion before you make your decision. The one thing of which today's voters are the most guilty, is not making informed decisions. This decision, which involves your kids and your wallet, deserves more than 5 seconds of thought.