Groups rally in support of Issue 76

Dublin City Schools staff members, parents and students stood at the intersection of Coffman Road and Emerald Parkway on Oct. 16, waving signs in support of the combined bond issue and operating levy on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Cheerleaders from all three high schools, along with Coffman High School's marching band, added to the festivities.

The goal of the rally was to "drum up support and make the community aware of what is going on," said teacher Kevin Griffin, who also is president of the Dublin Educators' Association, the district's teachers' union.

"We need support for the students and want to maintain programs and the class sizes," he said. "We have to pass the issue in order to do that."

The $50-million bond includes money for the district's 13th elementary school, additions to two middle schools and Coffman High School, safety improvements at all schools, technology upgrades, equipment replacement and maintenance. The 7.9-mill operating levy is expected to meet the district's financial needs through the 2012-13 school year.

"If you live in Dublin you should want to support your community. We need a good education to compete in the future," Danielle McGlone, a cheerleader and sophomore at Scioto High School, said at the rally.

Issue 76 has been endorsed by several school and community groups in recent weeks.

All 19 Dublin City Schools PTOs endorsed Issue 76 last week, joining the Dublin Educators' Association, the Dublin Support Association, the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, the Dublin Parents of Black Students Association, the Dublin City Schools Alumni Association and Parents Encouraging Responsible Choices.

"The professional staff of Dublin City Schools is committed to working with our community to maintain excellent programs for our students," Griffin said. "This issue is about kids and making sure we maintain our programs and staff for their sake."

The chamber of commerce's board of directors unanimously endorsed the issue.

"The Dublin city school district is an important component of our business community," said chamber executive director Margery Amorose.

"The Dublin school district is one of the premier school districts in the state of Ohio, if not in the country. For families with school-age children, this is probably the biggest factor in their decision to buy in the Dublin city school district," she said.

"For companies looking to attract high level executives, high quality schools are a must."