Board to debate asking voters to OK additional 5.9-mill tax

The superintendent says if the levy fails, drastic changes will be made.
By IAN HILL
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
AUSTINTOWN -- The school board will meet next week to consider placing a levy on the ballot in November.
Superintendent Stan Watson said he will recommend to board members that they place a five-year, 5.9-mill levy on that ballot. The levy would allow the board to collect an additional $3.2 million annually.
The meeting is to be at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at the board office. During the meeting, the board could vote on the first of two resolutions it would need to approve before it could place the levy on the ballot.
The second resolution could be on the table at the board's regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 10 at the board office.
A five-year, 5.9-mill levy that appeared on the November 2003 ballot failed by about 2,900 votes. Watson said after the election, the board decided it wanted to take its time and consider its options for the future before going back to voters.
Now, a year later, Watson said he's recommending that the board should give voters two options: Approve a levy that will allow the district to continue to provide the same level of education it has in the past, or vote against a levy and trigger "drastic changes" in the district.
"If people say I just can't afford to continue with taxes, I understand that," Watson said. "We're going one direction or the other. We either continue with what we're doing, or the district faces drastic changes," he said.
Deficit
Barbara Kliner, schools treasurer, has said that without additional revenue, the district is slated to have a $1.6 million deficit at the end of next fiscal year because of increases in costs and decreases in state funding and some tax revenue.
Kliner said Friday that if voters approve a 5.9-mill levy in November, it most likely will keep the district out of a deficit next year.
If the district has a deficit, it will be placed in fiscal emergency by the state auditor. A five-member commission would then be appointed to create a financial recovery plan.
The commission would be able to assume the powers of the school board, allowing it to hire and fire personnel and change the district's curriculum.
At least one school board member, Michael Creatore, said he believes spending cuts are needed before the board asks voters for more money.
Creatore said that he would vote against a resolution to place a levy on the ballot and that school officials and other board members should move past blaming cuts in state funding for their financial problems.
"I'm sick of hearing the excuses about the state cutting funding. We all know that's an issue. It's time we start to cut our spending, he said.
Other school board members did not return calls seeking comment.
hill@vindy.com