NILES Yes, it's a campaign in support of schools renewal levy
The levy generates $1.3 million a year.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- Blue and red buttons with the word Yes are starting to attract attention.
So are the signs in windows at businesses throughout the city. Billboards are going up now, too.
It's all part of the plan to increase voter awareness and support for a school district renewal levy.
The 5.1-mill levy, which generates about $1.3 million a year, will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot.
Superintendent Patrick N. Guliano said the levy campaign committee began meeting in early August to plan and begin fund raising.
"Enough money was raised through donations that we can run the campaign we want," he said.
Businesses and individuals throughout the city donated to the committee, which began distributing signs and buttons earlier this week.
The signs stress that the levy is not a new tax. Guliano said taxes will not increase because it is a renewal, so the schools will continue to receive the same amount since the levy first passed in 1988.
Committee members also made appearances at city council and board of education meetings earlier this week to ask for support.
Significance
Council unanimously passed a resolution in favor of the issue.
This renewal would be the third time the levy has been extended, Guliano said.
Since schools rely on property taxes and levies like this for funding, he noted the renewal represents a significant portions of the district's budget.
"There is no doubt in my mind we would head toward a fiscal emergency if the levy is not renewed," he told council members.
In an effort to show residents how school money is spent, the levy committee will be host to an open house at the new middle school Oct. 27, immediately after the Halloween parade, which starts at 2 p.m.
Guliano said several areas of the building will be open for tours. Construction continues at the new school and should be complete in May.
"We hope to have our occupancy permit by May 31," he said.
slshaulis@vindy.com