MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Board to propose tax increase

Some residents feel it's unfair for them to bear the financial burden.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- The Cleveland Municipal School District's Board of Education is proposing a property tax increase to be decided on the Nov. 2 ballot.
Board President Margaret Hopkins on Thursday defended the tax increase, which would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $349.13 a year more.
"To ask for less would be selling our children short," she said. "Our administration has made sacrifices. Employees have made sacrifices. We cannot allow our children to make sacrifices."
In the last few months, the board has cut $100 million from the district's budget and laid off hundreds of employees.
The board moved forward with support of the tax even though some neighborhood leaders and City Council members said that residents across Cleveland do not favor the tax.
"We agree the kids need funds," said James Knight, the Lee-Harvard neighborhood association president. "But we will not vote for any levy. There are too many other variables."
Tight budgets
Some residents think it is unfair the district asks them to bear the financial burden and say the state should share more responsibility, Knight said.
Councilman Michael O'Malley, who represents the city's Old Brooklyn neighborhood, said his constituents cannot afford the tax increase.
In Glenville, residents are also on tight budgets, and some don't understand why money from the construction project they voted for three years ago cannot be used for operations, said Councilman Kevin Conwell.
Councilwoman Sabra Pierce Scott, who represents three neighborhoods, said she will campaign for the tax, even though her communities are divided on the issue.
"It's a tough time economically," she said. "We are asking people to do more with less."