GIRARD SCHOOLS Voters to name school board amidst building woes

Lordstown voters will decide the fate of a levy.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
Ten people are vying for two seats on one school board that's seen much controversy and legal trouble over the last several months, and four of the five Lordstown school board seats are up for election as voters also must decide whether to pass an emergency levy.
A parents group launched a petition drive earlier this year to oust all five Girard school board members, contending they weren't forthcoming with information about health problems at the intermediate school that opened last year. Pupils and staff complained of illness, and the school was eventually shut down.
A Girard principal, meanwhile, is suing the board over breach of contract, contending he was transferred to another building because he talked to parents about health problems at the intermediate school.
The school remains closed while work is conducted to correct problems found in the ventilation system and carpeting.
Girard slate: Rosemary E. Schmitt is seeking to retain her post. The other board member whose term is up, Stephanie Frankford, isn't running.
The other candidates include a former teacher and councilman, a contractor at Home Depot, an account officer, the city's parks and recreation director and the 4th Ward city councilman.
Carla Marquette, who works as a contractor in cabinet sales at Home Depot, says she wants to initiate an open-door policy and improve accountability.
"I want Girard to be the school others are measured by," she said.
Don Rex worked for 31 years as a teacher and administrator in the schools and served 12 years as a city councilman. He points to school building health, board confidence and school finances as the major issues in the campaign.
Nancy Ross, a senior account officer at Landmark Mortgage Services, says children's education and safety are the major issues. "I am seeking this office because I feel that there needs to be a change brought to the school, not only for the students but the community," she said.
Mark P. Zuppo Sr. works as a sales representative for a medical manufacturer and part time as the city's parks and recreation director. He lists buildings, high education standards and communication as major issues.
"There are two major issues in this race," said Thomas F. Grumley, 4th Ward councilman since March 2000.
"One issue is that of keeping the focus on providing the best education possible for our children, while effectively managing the looming financial questions resulting from state funding revisions and facilities repairs. The other issue is resolving the safety and health concerns of the intermediate school."
Lordstown candidates: Lordstown incumbents Scott Thomas and Timothy Rech, who was appointed last year to fill an unexpired term, face opposition from Cheryl Kistler and Mark R. McGrail. Roxanna Holton, a two-term board member, isn't seeking a third term.
Gary Koch, who was appointed in July to fill an unexpired term, is unopposed in the race to retain his post. Village Mayor Arno Hill filed to run for the unexpired term, then withdrew.
Besides electing three school board members, Lordstown voters also will decide the fate of an emergency levy that would bring in about $770,000 annually.
Voters in May rejected a 10.2-mill levy that was to bring in $1.3 million annually.
State Auditor Jim Petro declared the district in fiscal emergency last December, citing a projected deficit. A state commission was appointed in January to oversee district finances.
The district has trimmed its budget, eliminating several positions to cut expenses, but officials contend the levy is essential.
Despite cuts, the district faces a $730,000 general fund deficit by June 30, 2003, said William Wenger, commission chairman, at a recent commission meeting.
The district will end the 2002 fiscal year with a $140,000 surplus but will stop receiving a portion of the village's income tax at that time.
Wenger and other district officials have said that cuts alone can't solve the financial problem.