Tipp City community members and staff volunteers recently met to plan the "neighborhood coordination" segment of the "Yes! Tipp Schools" levy campaign.

The Tipp City school district will have two issues on the May 5, 2009, ballot: a renewal of the current 3-year, $2.7 million emergency operating levy, which will not increase taxes; and a new 3-year emergency operating levy for $990,000, which will cost the owner of a $100,000 home approximately $80 per year in additional taxes.

Levy Chairman Jim McKee said that both levies are needed to allow the school district to keep its current level of programs and services. He said even if both levies pass, the district will freeze wages for all employees for 2009-2010 and will continue other budget-reducing measures. Neighborhood Coordinators for the campaign are Amy Joseph, Lynn Hinkle, Tom Cochran and Amy Cochran. At least 40 additional neighborhood "captains" have teamed up with staff volunteers in their neighborhoods to assemble additional volunteers who will work to inform the community about all aspects of the May 5 levies.

McKee said, "This is truly a grassroots effort, where neighbors are enlisting the help of other neighbors to get the word out. By the time the neighborhood captains assemble other workers, we expect to have at least 500 volunteers involved in the campaign."

Campaign plans include the delivery of flyers, installation of yard signs, articles in area newspapers, programs on local cable access television and possible town meetings. A levy web site is now live and will be updated regularly. The address is: www.tippschoolslevy.com. Neighborhood captains are also planning activities that will be unique to their own neighborhoods.

Amy Cochran said, "In addition to factual information, there will be neighborhood surprises that we hope will prove to be a fun way to promote the levies. These are serious times and the school levies are serious concerns, but ultimately it is about our kids and our community. We hope by lightening the mood with a few of our activities we will encourage our neighbors to continue the support our schools need."

Along with McKee, a steering committee of community members and staff representatives is meeting regularly to work on the campaign. Members include levy treasurer Scot Clyne; Bob Bair, Lora Heddleston, Lynn Hinkle, Amy Joseph, Frank Maus, Sherry Priddy, Tim Priddy, Gary Riebe, Melinda Schall, Greg Smith, Mike Stucke, Nancy Carus, Amy Cochran, Alexis Dedrick, Sarah Gearhardt, Jan Green, Amy Grescowle, Jeanne Koch, Joan Lucas, Angie McMurry, Diana Davis-Miller, Peggy Osborn, Dale Pittenger, Chris Prokes, Heidi Silvers, Greg Southers, Suzi Walker, Karen Weber and Jenn Wysocki.

Board of Education representatives on the campaign committee are Scott Dixon and Kate Johnsen.