On Monday, board members took the first step to put a $21,750,000 levy on the Nov. 2 ballot by declaring a need for a levy and asking the Butler County auditor to certify the needed millage.

"This is absolutely critical ... or we'd be looking at cuts of more than $10 million," board president Joan Powell said.

Those cuts would come on top of $13 million in spending reductions approved in the last two years, including $5.9 million this spring.

Recently approved reductions include the elimination of 75 positions, including 50 classroom teachers, in the district of 18,500 students.

"We're going to look very different when our doors open after the summer," Superintendent Mike Taylor said. "In addition to the $13 million in cuts we've enacted, we're also (getting) grim financial news from the state."

Interim treasurer Alan Hutchinson estimated the district would need a 7.9-mil levy to raise the $21,750,000. Taxes on a $100,000 house would increase about $231 each of the next 10 years, with collections beginning in January if the levy is approved.

Without additional dollars or spending cuts the district faces a $10 million deficit in its general fund by June 2012.

Voters in May rejected a levy that would have increased property taxes twice by 2012. The last time district voters approved an operating levy was five years ago.

As a result of the spending cuts there will be more crowded classes, fewer teachers, higher fees and reduced classes. Even with approval of the levy, the already voted cuts will remain, school officials said.

"All along we have talked about our three-prong approach: reduce spending, limiting future growth of spending and adding revenue," Powell said. "That's what we're doing."

The board has scheduled a special June 20 meeting to pass a second resolution that would put the levy on the ballot.

The deadline for the Nov. 2 ballot is Aug. 4.