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Speaking to the St. Joseph School Board Monday evening, Gary Myers outlines his task force recommendation that a new 63-cent operating levy with a five-year sunset be placed on the November ballot.

The St. Joseph School District said it needs the operating levy restored. But when to put it back to a vote was the question that needed answering at Monday night’s school board meeting.

A few speakers during the meeting advised the district to wait until next April to put the issue back on the ballot.

A grass-roots group called Community Task Force made a proposal for the board to consider putting the 63-cent operating levy back on the ballot in November.

Sarah Hochschwender, a St. Joseph citizen, told the board there were many reasons to postpone the levy until next April. One reason she gave was that an April election would draw out more voters. Another reason would be a possible better economy, she added.

“I support a new levy,” Ms. Hochschwender said. “I believe that waiting for a late election can only enhance the chances of a successful campaign.”

But Gary Myers, a local attorney and spokesperson for the Community Task Force, said waiting prolongs the negative mood over the city. That was one of his reasons for suggesting November.

“There is a dark cloud over our city and I believe we need to take care of that as soon as we possibly can,” Mr. Myers said to the board. “We’re very confident we can get this passed.”

Mr. Myers presented a proposal to put the 63-cent operating levy that failed in April back on the ballot in November but this time with a five-year sunset clause. He said the group would also help run and fund the campaign.

Martin Rucker, school board vice president, was apprehensive about the Community Task Force proposal.

“Can you tell me why you feel that in November we have this chance to pass it when just before you I have other audience members tell me I shouldn’t put it on the ballot in November?” He asked Mr. Myers. “The 9,000 that voted against us will be there again.”

Mr. Myers responded that the group was indeed confident.

“We have enough time to do it and we’re going to throw a lot of elbow grease into it,” he said.

Janet Pullen, school district chief financial officer, painted a dire picture for the board on what would happen if the district continued without a levy increase. She presented a chart that showed the district could be financially distressed in about five years.

“This says we need to pass that levy,” said Diane Watson, board president.

The board voted to hold a special meeting on July 13 to decide ballot language and when to put the issue back on the ballot. Board members agreed to work with the Community Task Force on the decision.

“I often referred to this metaphorically as Solomon, meaning the board having to make a decision about the baby and either way it’s not a good picture or scenario,” said Dr. Melody Smith, the superintendent. “When we boil it down to what is the great need in the school district, it is that we restore some equilibrium to the financial future of the school system.”

Also Monday night, the board approved the first draft of it 2010 operating budget. The board approved $108 million for fiscal year 2010. Last year the operating budget was $114 million. The reduction reflects the cuts the district made as a result of the levy failure in April.

Rick Hartigan, chief operating officer for the district, presented new eligibility rates for free and reduced lunches to the board. He said he expected the participation rate to increase.

“We could go as high as 10 percent,” he said.

Alonzo Weston can be reached at alonzow@npgco.com.