Panel looks at setting jobs center deadline

Niles remains the only district that hasn't committed.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LORDSTOWN -- The state commission appointed to oversee school district finances is considering asking for a deadline for who will participate in the Gordon D. James Career Center when the current pact expires.
The five-year pact establishing the consortium expires in 2002. Lordstown runs the center. Other participating schools are Niles, Weathersfield, Howland and McDonald.
"Is it out of line for us as a commission to establish a deadline when we'd like to see a new contract?" James Levero, commission chairman, asked at a commission meeting Tuesday.
"I think it's absolutely imperative to set a date," said Jeffrey Hundt, associate director of the Ohio Department of Education's fiscal assistance section.
Hundt cited the effect on employee contracts and the financial recovery plan without an agreement.
"I think we can talk about that," Levero said. "If someone intends to pull out, it affects the financial integrity of the district."
Possible deadline: He mentioned July 1 or Aug. 1 as a possible deadline, but members didn't vote on a cutoff date.
Niles remains the only district holding out on whether it will sign on again. Niles school board members are considering going with the Trumbull County Career and Technical Center instead.
The other districts have nonbinding agreements to stay with the James center.
Participating districts pay tuition to Lordstown based on the number of students attending the James center. Districts don't pay tuition to send students to TCTC, but residents in school districts that join are assessed an unvoted property tax of at least 2 mills.
Without Niles: If Niles, which sends the highest number of students to the center, pulls out of the consortium, the remaining districts would have to make up its share to keep the center going.
Lordstown's oversight commission members are pushing for an agreement so they can move ahead with a financial recovery plan.
The commission was appointed to develop the plan after state Auditor Jim Petro's office declared Lordstown in fiscal emergency, citing a projected $1.35 million deficit by June 30.
"I'll make a recommendation to the board when I feel it's in the best interest of our kids," Niles Superintendent Patrick Guliano said. He has not set a timeline for that recommendation.
"We're under contract until July 1, 2002," he said. "No one has to give me a deadline."
Lordstown Superintendent Raymond Getz said all five districts have participated in discussions about a new contract.
"I have reason to believe all five districts will continue to participate," he said.