LAKEVIEW SCHOOLS Board sheds light on 2 levies

Cuts in busing and after-school programs will come if the levies fail.
By MARY POFF
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
CORTLAND -- Discussion of the Lakeview school district's two levies on the November ballot dominated discussion at the school board's special meeting.
Voters will see a 3.4-mill renewal levy that will generate $890,000 a year, and a new 4.5-mill levy that will bring in $1.14 million a year Nov 2.
The new tax levy was on the ballot in the March primary and August special election, but it failed both times.
Board member Michael Ranttila said at Monday's meeting, "Both levies must be passed in order for the school system to operate."
School officials said the renewal levy will not increase taxes.
Transportation
Board members told the audience that levy failures will necessitate budget cuts that would take effect Jan 1. For example, busing for all children in grades kindergarten through eight within a two-mile radius of the schools will be eliminated, and those children will have to find their own form of school transportation.
Busing will be available only to children who live farther than two miles.
The board said passage of the new levy will guarantee continuation of bus transportation for all students and after-school activities, including arts, sports, and academic extras.
Without passage of the new levy those items will be cut, said Dr. Matt Chojnacki, schools superintendent
Board member Donald Moore explained that the schools are at a crisis point. The situation is so critical, that the educational quality of Lakeview schools will be dismantled if the levies fail.
"Education is the key to the success or failure of a community," Moore added.
The board also pointed out that Cortland, and the surrounding areas that accomodate the Lakeview school sysyem, has Trumbull County's lowest tax rate.
If the new levy passes, most property owners will see their taxes go up about $130 a year.
Question
An audience member asked why busing, sports and other after-school programs must be cut.
The board answered that state funding dictates the distribution of funds. Eighty-five percent of the state's funding budget is for the salaries of teachers and others that work for the school system.
Other money is distributed for books and instructional supplies, but it is a small percentage.
The board also announced that the school district will have its first levy campaign meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the high school cafteria to discuss various strategies to persuade voters to pass both tax issues.