AUSTINTOWN Board to seek 2 renewal levies

The board addressed a lawsuit about grades.
By JEANNE STARMACK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
AUSTINTOWN -- The board of education is moving to place two renewal levies on the May ballot.
The board passed resolutions Tuesday to renew 7.3-mill and 4.9-mill levies for current expenses.
The board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at Watson Elementary for a second reading of the levy resolutions.
Other alternatives that had been discussed last year were not mentioned. Superintendent Douglas Heuer had told the board at a work session in October that a 1.25 percent income tax would more than replace revenue from the two levies, which expired Dec. 31.
Together, the levies generate about 8.5 mills compared with the income tax, which would have generated the equivalent of 10.46 mills.
District Treasurer Barb Kliner said in October that no pensions would be taxed, so senior citizens who have fought taxes in the past would have no reason to object.
The board also did not discuss another alternative, a replacement levy that would have raised taxes. Heuer said board members got feedback from the community, and it seems the community would be comfortable with the renewals.
Board president Michael Creatore said it was important to pass the resolutions quickly because the board faces a Feb. 17 deadline to get the levies on the ballot.
The two levies generate about $5.2 million of the district's general fund.
Grade dispute
In other business, Creatore directed Heuer to set a meeting with attorneys for the school district and for a young woman who is suing over two B-pluses she received in advanced placement courses. Brianne Hingel's suit contends she should have received A's. Hingel's father, Fred, has addressed the board at meetings over the issue "for 20 months," and he should get answers to his questions, Creatore said.
The suit asks the court to force the district to revise the grades. It was filed in August. Brianne Hingel has since graduated.
The board also named two members, Creatore and Zimmermann, to work with the transportation director on busing problems. Parents complained earlier in the year about many issues in busing, including bus route changes that had their children riding buses longer or walking longer to stops.
The board also approved a contract with the Ohio School Boards Association to update its policy manual for $9,500.