WEATHERSFIELD Board weighs income tax, levy

Even with cuts, the schools are looking to taxpayers for more money.
By MARY SMITH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
MINERAL RIDGE -- Weathersfield Local Board of Education discussed Wednesday whether to place an income tax issue or a levy for millage on the May 6 ballot to bring added income to the district.
Board members agreed to discuss the choices with community members individually to get their reaction before deciding.
Facing a $620,000 tax loss this year and again next year, the district has taken measures to deal with the deficit, but officials say the schools will need additional taxpayer funds to remain solvent.
The board discussed placing either an income tax around 1 mill or a 9.5-mill levy on the ballot but will act until a reorganizational meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 8.
Superintendent Rocco Adduci said two resolutions will have to be passed to place a measure on the ballot, and action on the second measure to formally set the rate of the millage will take place at the board's regular meeting Jan. 29.
Adduci explained that a millage on property tax does not increase and is designed to bring in a specific amount of money. He said one mill in Weathersfield Township brings in $90,000.
An income tax would be levied on everyone's income who resides in the Weathersfield School District and works anywhere. An individual who lives in Howland and works in Weathersfield will not pay the tax.
A retired individual on Social Security benefits will not be taxed, but any other retirement benefits are taxed.
Adduci noted that there is growth in an income tax, as a person's income increases.
The board approved a memorandum of understanding with the district's two unions representing 100 teachers and nonteaching employees under which the employees agreed to a board of education request to take a wage freeze for the coming year.
Another saving
Both teaching and nonteaching employees also agreed to switch their health insurance coverage from a traditional plan to a preferred-provider organization, a managed health-care plan, in January.
That move is expected to save the district $90,000 next year.
The district will save $120,000 on salary increases by the unions' agreeing to the wage freeze, an amount already figured into $300,000 in cuts the board has made.
Teachers will receive their step increases, based on years of service, as required by the contract, but 40 percent to 50 percent of them are already at the top of the scale and will not receive increases.
The district is facing a $620,000 tax loss this year after RMI Titanium Inc.'s accountants re-evaluated its personal property taxes for 2002. The company also wants a $400,000 to $500,000 refund on taxes it paid over the past two years.
The district has applied for two catastrophic grants through the state Department of Education from the School District Solvency Assistance Fund for fiscal 2004 to cover those shortfalls.
The members of the Weathersfield Teachers Association are working under a three-year contract scheduled to expire July 12, 2003.
The contract for nonteaching members of the Ohio Association of Public School Employees of Local 722 runs to June 30.