Warren school renewal, CSB levies are OK'd

Warren schools will be able to support the student programs, the superintendent says.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Trumbull County voters approved a 2-mill Children Services Board levy, and Warren voters approved a 4.25 renewal levy for the schools.
With 89 percent of the vote in at press time, 58 percent voted for the CSB issue and 61 percent for the school measure.
Robert A. Kubiak, CSB director, pledged to provide the best quality service and cooperate with other social agencies.
Just last fall, voters approved the agency's other local levy -- an 0.8-mill, 10-year replacement levy, which will raise $2,768,733 annually. It replaced a levy that had been originally passed in 1972 and renewed until last year.
The 2-mill levy is the final step of securing operating funds so the district can look to its renovation plans, Kubiak said.
Originally approved in 1986, the 2-mill levy has been renewed three times and provides about $4.8 million a year for the child welfare agency.
The levy generates about 35 percent of the agency's revenue, and is its largest funding source. CSB has 160 employees and a $14 million annual budget.
Passage of the levy will continue funding of routine operations, and thereby allow the agency to proceed with renovation of its residential facilities, Kubiak said.
The residential renovations will be paid for using a portion of a $5.7 million contingency fund the agency has set aside.
Relief in Warren
In the Warren School District, the 4.25-mill, five-year levy brought relief to schools Superintendent Dr. Kathryn Hellweg.
"I'm elated. This is fantastic," Hellweg said of the results.
"The people came forward to vote for our children," she said, adding that the district won't be forced to cut programs that support the pupils.
First passed in 1986 and since renewed four times, the levy brings in almost $1.9 million a year for routine operating costs the district incurs for such things as salaries, curriculum materials, books and utilities.
The issue will not pay for any new school construction. The local share of the schools construction project comes from an unrelated bond levy passed in November 2003. The bond levy money can't be used to fund day-to-day operations.
Elsewhere
In McDonald, a 4.5-mill general permanent improvement levy appeared to be defeated.
Superintendent Michael Wasser said he wasn't sure what to do next.
"I don't know exactly what our plans are," Wasser said of the 589-554 apparent voter rejection.
The measure would have generated $250,000 annually.
The district was looking to build a new stadium. The high school gym would have been renovated and district buildings maintained.
"The community has spoken," Wasser said.
The 0.6-mill additional continuing levy for the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library appears to have passed.
Late Tuesday night, the issue was passing by 53 percent of the vote.
If the issues fails, at least $250,000 a year would have to be cut from the budget, library trustees have decided.
Trustees decided last month that areas subject to cuts are staff, hours and services at all locations, the bookmobile and delivery service for homebound patrons.
yovich@vindy.com