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Crowd meets Edgewood board member in the parking lot

More than a dozen folks accept Jim Miller’s online invitation to meet with him to hash out the issue.

Gary Dougherty, a 35-year resident of Wayne Twp. who is against the school levy argues with pro-levy supporters Thursday, June 24, during a discussion scheduled by board member Jim Miller outside Edgewood High School.

Staff photo by Greg Lynch Gary Dougherty, a 35-year resident of Wayne Twp. who is against the school levy argues with pro-levy supporters Thursday, June 24, during a discussion scheduled by board member Jim Miller outside Edgewood High School.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Edgewood Board of Education member Jim Miller listens to his detractors about his recent votes regarding the August levy during a discussion Thursday, June 24, he scheduled outside Edgewood High School.

Staff photo by Greg Lynch Edgewood Board of Education member Jim Miller listens to his detractors about his recent votes regarding the August levy during a discussion Thursday, June 24, he scheduled outside Edgewood High School.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Marie Rossiter, Staff Writer 1:35 AM Friday, June 25, 2010

TRENTON — Edgewood school board member Jim Miller literally had his back against the wall Thursday evening, June 24, as more than a dozen people accepted his invitation to meet in the Edgewood High School parking lot to discuss his levy position.

In an unorthodox move, Miller posted the invitation on an online community forum. His reason, he said, was to deflect rumors and set the record straight.

“In my heart, I know I voted my conscience,” Miller told the small crowd gathered around him as he leaned against the school’s brick wall. He said he thought the cost of an August election was too much and it would be best to wait until November.

The 6.88-mill, five-year levy renewal was defeated by 18 votes in May.

Because Miller and fellow board member Karen McIntyre voted against putting the levy on the Aug. 3 special election ballot, the request was decertified June 14 by the Butler County Board of Elections. State law requires that a levy request receive a two-thirds majority vote (or four of five board members voting).

Miller told the crowd he intends to vote in favor of a levy issue in November.

Parents and teachers claimed the board didn’t do enough to inform the community on the impact of a defeated levy. Eliminating high school busing, cutting more than 70 staff members and adding a pay-to-play system are among the changes for the upcoming school year.

About halfway through the session, Gary Dougherty, a 35-year resident of Wayne Twp., broke through the crowd, shook Miller’s hand and then blasted levy supporters.

“Spending property taxes on schools was voted unconstitutional, so you all are using my tax dollars illegally!” he shouted. “Stop trying to come back and re-vote. We voted no!”

After about 15 minutes of heated words between Dougherty and the other community members, Miller said levies weren’t the people’s fault.

“The governor, House and Senate need to get up off their butts and change the system,” said Miller. “Until then, there really isn’t anything else we can do.”

The Edgewood Board of Education will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, June 28, in the high school auditorium.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2551

or mrossiter@coxohio.com.

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