CAMPBELL Treasurer: Schools face money problems

Campbell is a poor district with an eroding tax base, the treasurer said.
By MARALINE KUBIK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CAMPBELL -- Despite its brand-new school buildings and state-of-the-art curriculum, the city school district has money problems.
Its bond retirement fund, permanent improvement fund and Ohio Schools Facilities Commission construction projects and land acquisition fund are all in the red.
The bond retirement fund's deficit tops $10,000. The permanent improvement fund is short almost $19,000. And the OSFC construction projects and land acquisition fund is some $99,000 in the red.
Other funds, too
Patricia McLaughlin, treasurer, told board members Tuesday that money in other funds is dwindling too. "There is $291,756.02 in the general fund, which is about what it costs to meet one biweekly payroll," she said.
The problem, McLaughlin said, is that Campbell is a poor district with an eroding tax base. Businesses are shutting down or moving away, resulting in increasingly fewer tax dollars to fund the schools.
The rainy day fund, which has taken the district about four years to accumulate, has some $807,000, she said.
After hearing the treasurer's report, the board voted to pay the bills "when the money becomes available" and approved only one purchase -- 440 cases of copy paper, which the district buys in bulk to get a better rate.
The board also awarded two construction contracts to the low bidders.
The contractors
Southern Bleacher, based in Texas, will provide seating for the stadium, which is being renovated, for $926,185. The next lowest bid was $979,600.
B & amp;J Electric of Youngstown will complete electrical work, which, according to Superintendent James Ciccolelli, will include new stadium lighting and poles, power sources and some lighting in the parking lot, for $219,140. The next lowest bid was $238,616.
Appointments
After awarding the contracts, board members approved the appointment of five people to oversee and help with the weightlifting and track programs: John Ryan and Robert DeLuca, weightlifting coaches; Doug Velasquez and Michael Tucci, weightlifting volunteers; and Dom D'Altorio, varsity head track coach, boys and girls. All of the positions are unpaid.
The next board meeting is March 16.
kubik@vindy.com