Brobeck blames criminal probe for failure of Salem school levy

Officials say the levy is needed to keep the district from spiraling into a deficit.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- Salem city school district voters probably will be asked again to pass an emergency levy, but perhaps by then the district will be out from under the shadow of a long-running criminal investigation.
Voters' concern over the ongoing probe into the district treasurer's office is largely to blame for the defeat Tuesday of a 7.85-mill, five-year levy that would have raised about $2.3 million annually, Superintendent David Brobeck said.
The levy was rejected by about 74 percent of those casting votes on the issue.
Brobeck said the unfinished investigation also likely contributed to the defeat of three incumbent board members: Don Finch, Ken Kenst and Dr. Paul Shivers.
"It's unfortunate," Brobeck said. The ousted members care about kids, he added.
The three defeated board members were part of a seven-way race.
Winners
Emerging as victors were Marguerite Miller, with more than 19 percent of the vote; Elizabeth Gibbs Thatcher, with more than 16 percent; and Sean Hart, with nearly 15 percent.
Miller and Thatcher are both retired educators, having served for years in the city school system. Thatcher also is a former city councilwoman.
Brobeck said the emergency levy is likely to reappear on the spring primary ballot.
School officials have insisted that the levy is crucial to prevent the district from slipping into a deficit.
Pacts approved
The levy's defeat and school-board house-cleaning came just a day after the school board approved contracts with the district's teachers and nonteaching employees.
Teachers received a 2.5 percent pay increase, and nonteachers will get a 3 percent boost.
School officials have maintained the bargaining also produced health insurance changes that will save the district money.
The contracts didn't hurt the levy, Brobeck said, casting most of the blame on the criminal probe.
The county prosecutor's office began investigating the treasurer's office in December 2002 after school officials reported that former treasurer Ted Cougras used district money to buy $781 in office equipment, and the items were sent to his Poland home.
Cougras resigned after the investigation began.
No one has been indicted as a result of the probe.
County Prosecutor Robert Herron said the case is being hotly pursued, and he has predicted someone will be charged.
leigh@vindy.com