7 of 9 school districts' levies fail

Only Jackson-Milton and Joseph Badger passed levies Tuesday.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- It wasn't a good night for Mahoning Valley school districts.
Of the nine school issues before Mahoning Valley voters in Tuesday's special election, two passed -- renewal levies in Jackson-Milton and Joseph Badger.
There is apparently one tie: With the same number of votes cast for and against the Girard district's 6.5-mill levy for current expenses, school officials there are in a holding pattern.
Voters in Bristol -- which has been in a state-declared fiscal emergency since October, LaBrae, Lakeview, Liberty and Weathersfield all said no to levies.
The voters in Beaver Local schools in Columbiana County rejected that district's 6.7-mill, 28-year new bond issue to raise $22 million. The money would have been the local portion of a $52 million school improvement project, with the remainder coming from the state. The Beaver Local district planned to build new elementary and high schools and remodel the high school into a middle school.
Outlook for Weathersfield
The Weathersfield district had asked for a 5.5-mill, five-year levy, and has already cut busing except what's required by the state, trimmed nearly $1 million from its budget and all employees took a one-year wage freeze.
"I'm saddened," said Superintendent Michael Hanshaw. "This is a good school system and a good community. The school is the center of the community. Without the school, I don't know where the community would be."
The school board will meet Thursday evening and will have to make some tough decisions, Hanshaw said.
He said he understands people being fed up with paying taxes. "They're taking their frustration out on us instead of the governor and people at the state," he said.
The state pays $20,000 per year to house a prisoner but only $5,200 per year to educate each pupil, Hanshaw said. "That's a travesty."
The Liberty district had asked for a 7.9-mill, five-year levy for emergency requirements. "I'm disappointed," said Liberty Superintendent Larry Prince. "This would have been an opportunity to strengthen the schools and the community."
Prince said he and school board members would discuss their options, one of which is returning in November to ask voters to pass the tax. "The need simply doesn't change," he said.
Hopeful about recount
Joseph Jeswald, Girard superintendent, remains hopeful a recount will work out in the district's favor. "Everyone is surprised to see it turn out in a tie," he said.
He described supporters' mood as "a little subdued" as they realize a recount will be set.
Dr. David Bair, superintendent of Joseph Badger, the only Trumbull district where voters passed a levy Tuesday, attributed the success to getting the message out that the 5.3-mill levy was a renewal.
"We had a committee, Citizens for Badger Schools, that was chaired by Gwen Logan, that just did a super job," Bair said.
Lakeview voters rejected that district's 7.8-mill, five-year levy.
"We're upset," said Superintendent Dr. Matt Chojnacki. "We thought we had a great campaign and put a lot of work into it."
The district's next move is up to the school board.
Jackson-Milton voters passed their 2.8-mill renewal levy, which raises $383,088 annually. During the March election, the levy lost by one vote.
The nine Mahoning Valley school issues were among 103 across the state, a record for an August election, according to the Ohio School Boards Association.
denise_dick@vindy.com